A simple method for direct observation of the converse magnetoelectric effect in magnetic/ferroelectric composite thin films

Zheng Li, Jiamian Hu, Li Shu, Yi Zhang, Ya Gao, Yang Shen, Yuanhua Lin, and C. W. Nan

The authors present a novel method to directly observe the pure converse magnetoelectric (ME) effect in two magnetic/ferroelectric (FE) composite thin films. The authros show significant strain-mediated converse ME coupling in both cases.

J. Appl. Phys. 110, 096106 (2011)

Local density of trap states in SiO₂ and Si₃ N₄ films studied by single electron tunneling force spectroscopy

Dustin Winslow and Clayton Williams

The authors developed single electron tunneling force spectroscopy (SETFS) to characterize electrically isolated trap states with atomic scale spatial resolution, on both silicon dioxide and silicon nitride films. The authors then compare the local spectra with previous measurements and theoretical predictions in the literature.

. Appl. Phys. 110, 114102 (2011)

Hysteretic spin-wave excitation in spin-torque oscillators as a function of the in-plane field angle: A micromagnetic description

G. Finocchio, A. Prattella, G. Consolo, E. Martinez, A. Giordano, and B. Azzerboni

This paper describes a full micromagnetic characterization of the magnetization dynamics driven by spin-polarized current in anisotropic spin-torque oscillators (STOs). For field angles approaching the hard in-plane axis, the excited mode is uniform and a super-critical Hopf-bifurcation takes place at the critical current density J_C. For field angles close to the easy axis of the free layer, the excited mode is localized (non-uniform) and a sub-critical Hopf-bifurcation occurs at J_C.

J. Appl. Phys. 110, 123913 (2011)

Tunning of microstructure and thermoelectric properties of Ca₃Co₄O₉ ceramics by high-magnetic-field sintering

The authors investigated the microstructure and thermoelectric properties of Ca3Co4O9 ceramics with high-magnetic-field sintering, and found the material properties could be tuned by varying the sintering process.

Yanan Huang, Bangchuan Zhao, Jun Fang, Ran Ang, and Yuping Sun

J. Appl. Phys. 110, 123713 (2011)

Surface modification of monocrystalline zinc oxide induced by high-density electronic excitation

Luc Museur, Alexandra Manousaki, Demetrios Anglos, and Andrei V. Kanaev

The authors investigate the effects of femtosecond laser pulses on wurtzite O-face ZnO surfaces. Various pulse intensities and firing sequences produce interesting results, from quasi-periodic nanoholes to surface erosion to “volcano” structures from exploding impurities.

J. Appl. Phys. 110, 124310 (2011)