Showing papers by "Paulo V. Santos published in 2017"

Direct imaging of delayed magneto-dynamic modes induced by surface acoustic waves

Abstract: The magnetoelastic effect—the change of magnetic properties caused by the elastic deformation of a magnetic material—has been proposed as an alternative approach to magnetic fields for the low-power control of magnetization states of nanoelements since it avoids charge currents, which entail ohmic losses. Here, we have studied the effect of dynamic strain accompanying a surface acoustic wave on magnetic nanostructures in thermal equilibrium. We have developed an experimental technique based on stroboscopic X-ray microscopy that provides a pathway to the quantitative study of strain waves and magnetization at the nanoscale. We have simultaneously imaged the evolution of both strain and magnetization dynamics of nanostructures at the picosecond time scale and found that magnetization modes have a delayed response to the strain modes, adjustable by the magnetic domain configuration. Our results provide fundamental insight into magnetoelastic coupling in nanostructures and have implications for the design of strain-controlled magnetostrictive nano-devices. Understanding the effects of local dynamic strain on magnetization may help the development of magnetic devices. Foerster et al. demonstrate stroboscopic imaging that allows the observation of both strain and magnetization dynamics in nickel when surface acoustic waves are driven in the substrate.

Switching of magnetic moments of nanoparticles by surface acoustic waves

Abstract: We report evidence of the magnetization reversal in nanoparticles by surface acoustic waves (SAWs). The experimental system consists of isolated magnetite nanoparticles dispersed on a piezoelectric substrate. Magnetic relaxation from a saturated state becomes significantly enhanced in the presence of the SAW at a constant temperature of the substrate. The dependence of the relaxation on SAW power and frequency has been investigated. The effect is explained by the effective ac magnetic field generated by the SAW in the nanoparticles.

Acousto-electric transport in MgO/ZnO-covered graphene on SiC

Abstract: We investigate the acousto-electric transport induced by surface acoustic waves (SAWs) in epitaxial graphene (EG) coated by a MgO/ZnO film. The deposition of a thin MgO layer protects the EG during the sputtering of a piezoelectric ZnO film for the efficient generation of SAWs. We demonstrate by Raman and electric measurements that the coating does not harm the EG structural and electronic properties. We report the generation of two SAW modes with frequencies around 2 GHz. For both modes, we measure acousto-electric currents in EG devices placed in the SAW propagation path. The currents increase linearly with the SAW power, reaching values up to almost two orders of magnitude higher than in previous reports for acousto-electric transport in EG on SiC. Our results agree with the predictions from the classical relaxation model of the interaction between SAWs and a two dimensional electron gas.

Switching of Magnetic Moments of Nanoparticles by Surface Acoustic Waves

Abstract: We report evidence of the magnetization reversal in nanoparticles by surface acoustic waves (SAWs). The experimental system consists of isolated magnetite nanoparticles dispersed on a piezoelectric substrate. Magnetic relaxation from a saturated state becomes significantly enhanced in the presence of the SAW at a constant temperature of the substrate. The dependence of the relaxation on SAW power and frequency has been investigated. The effect is explained by the effective ac magnetic field generated by the SAW in the nanoparticles.

Control of single photon emitters in semiconductor nanowires by surface acoustic waves

Abstract: We report on an experimental study into the effects of surface acoustic waves on the optical emission of dot-in-a-nanowire heterostructures in III-V material systems. Under direct optical excitation, the excitonic energy levels in III-nitride dot-in-a-nanowire heterostructures oscillate at the acoustic frequency, producing a characteristic splitting of the emission lines in the time-integrated photoluminescence spectra. This acoustically induced periodic tuning of the excitonic transition energies is combined with spectral detection filtering and employed as a tool to regulate the temporal output of anti-bunched photons emitted from these nanowire quantum dots. In addition, the acoustic transport of electrons and holes along a III-arsenide nanowire injects the electric charges into an ensemble of quantum dot-like recombination centers that are spatially separated from the optical excitation area. The acoustic population and depopulation mechanism determines the number of carrier recombination events taking place simultaneously in the ensemble, thus allowing control of the anti-bunching degree of the emitted photons. The results presented are relevant for the dynamic control of single photon emission in III-V semiconductor heterostructures.

Acousto-electric transport in MgO/ZnO-covered graphene on SiC

Abstract: We investigate the acousto-electric transport induced by surface acoustic waves (SAWs) in epitaxial graphene (EG) coated by a MgO/ZnO film. The deposition of a thin MgO layer protects the EG during the sputtering of a piezoelectric ZnO film for the efficient generation of SAWs. We demonstrate by Raman and electric measurements that the coating does not harm the EG structural and electronic properties. We report the generation of two SAW modes with frequencies around 2 GHz. For both modes, we measure acousto-electric currents in EG devices placed in the SAW propagation path. The currents increase linearly with the SAW power, reaching values up to almost two orders of magnitude higher than in previous reports for acousto-electric transport in EG on SiC. Our results agree with the predictions from the classical relaxation model of the interaction between SAWs and a two dimensional electron gas.

Generation of surface acoustic waves on doped semiconductor substrates

Abstract: We report on the electrical generation of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) on doped semiconductor substrates. This is implemented by using interdigital transducers (IDTs) placed on piezoelectric ZnO films sputtered onto evaporated thin metal layers. Two material systems are investigated, namely ZnO/Au/GaAs and ZnO/Ni/InP. The rf-field applied to the transducer is electrically screened by the highly conductive metal film underneath the ZnO film without any extra ohmic losses. As a result, absorption of the rf-field by the mobile carriers in the lossy doped region underneath the IDT is avoided, ensuring efficient SAW generation. We find that the growth temperature of the ZnO film on the metal layer affects its structure and, thus, the efficiency of SAW generation. With this technique, the SAW active layers can be placed close to doped layers, expanding the application range of SAWs in semiconductor devices.

Microscopic optical anisotropy of exciton-polaritons in a GaAs-based semiconductor microcavity

Abstract: Exciton-polaritons in semiconductor microcavities are ideal for the study of the exciton-light interaction and its dependence on light polarization. In this work, we report on the optical response and the dependence on polarization of a polariton microcavity using microreflectance anisotropy spectroscopy ($\ensuremath{\mu}$-RAS) with a spatial resolution of $10.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}10.0\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}{\mathrm{m}}^{2}$. We have found that, in contrast to optical reflection, the $\ensuremath{\mu}$-RAS spectra are quite inhomogeneous along the microcavity surface. We demonstrate the existence of microscopic local domains with differences in optical anisotropy of up to $20%$ within $100\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$. These variations are independent of the detuning between the optical and excitonic resonances, which in our sample is close to 0 meV. The $\ensuremath{\mu}$-RAS line shape can be understood by using a model based on the anisotropic strain fields induced at the interfaces of the microcavity. The model agrees quite well with the experimental results and allows us to quantify the split of the energy levels of the exciton-polariton branches induced by the local break of symmetry at the microcavity interfaces.

Asymmetric $g$ tensor in low-symmetry two-dimensional hole systems

Abstract: The complex structure of the valence band in many semiconductors leads to multifaceted and unusual properties for spin-3/2 hole systems compared to typical spin-1/2 electron systems. In particular, two-dimensional hole systems show a highly anisotropic Zeeman spin splitting. We have investigated this anisotropy in GaAs/AlAs quantum well structures both experimentally and theoretically. By performing time-resolved Kerr rotation measurements, we found a non-diagonal tensor $g$ that manifests itself in unusual precessional motion as well as distinct dependencies of hole spin dynamics on the direction of the magnetic field $\vec{B}$. We quantify the individual components of the tensor $g$ for [113]-, [111]- and [110]-grown samples. We complement the experiments by a comprehensive theoretical study of Zeeman splitting in in-plane and out-of-plane fields $\vec{B}$. To this end, we develop a detailed multiband theory for the tensor $g$. Using perturbation theory, we derive transparent analytical expressions for the components of the tensor $g$ that we complement with accurate numerical calculations based on our theoretical framework. We obtain very good agreement between experiment and theory. Our study demonstrates that the tensor $g$ is neither symmetric nor antisymmetric. Opposite off-diagonal components can differ in size by up to an order of magnitude.