Superconducting phase coherent electron transport in nano-engineered ferromagnetic vortices

Marsh, Richard

(2013)

Marsh, Richard (2013) Superconducting phase coherent electron transport in nano-engineered ferromagnetic vortices.

Our Full Text Deposits

Full text access: Open

Full text file - 23.78 MB

Abstract

This thesis presents an experimental study of the superconducting proximity effect in sub-micrometer sized ferromagnetic discs. Such discs belong to a class of mesoscopic ferromagnets intermediate between microscopic magnets with dimensions below about 10nm that behave as single giant spins and macroscopic structures that are larger than approximately 1 micrometer where domains are formed to minimise stray fields. The magnetic structure of mesoscopic magnets is strongly dependent on their geometric shape, allowing for purposeful engineering of magnetic structures using modern lithographic techniques. The ground magnetic state of mesoscopic ferromagnetic discs is the magnetic vortex where unusual time-asymmetric triplet superconductivity is predicted to exist and survive up to the non-magnetic coherence length, that is orders in magnitude larger than the ferromagnetic singlet coherence length. Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) was used to directly study the magnetic structure of the discs. To detect the proximity effect in the vortices, Andreev interferometers were used with normal parts replaced with mesoscopic ferromagnetic discs in the magnetic vortex state. The samples were fabricated using electron-beam lithography and a modified shadow evaporation technique developed within this project, allowing the whole structure to be made with highly precise alignment, without breaking vacuum and avoiding redundant ferromagnetic elements disturbing the magnetic vortices. Observations were made of superconducting phase periodic oscillations in the conductance of the Andreev interferometers. Such oscillations provide unambiguous evidence of phase coherent electron transport through the ferromagnetic vortex. Finally, further experiments are discussed that would provide a more detailed understanding of the long range proximity effect in SFS junctions.

Information about this Version

This is a Approved version
This version's date is: 2/2013
This item is not peer reviewed

Link to this Version

https://repository.royalholloway.ac.uk/items/66b15a59-0b9f-4e68-b0aa-47e93f77349a/1/

Item TypeThesis (Doctorial)
TitleSuperconducting phase coherent electron transport in nano-engineered ferromagnetic vortices
AuthorsMarsh, Richard
Uncontrolled KeywordsLong range proximity effect, Ferromagnetic vortex, time-asymmetric triplet superconductivity, Andreev interferometer, superconducting phase periodic oscillations, phase coherent electron transport
DepartmentsFaculty of Science\Physics
Research Groups and Centres\Physics\Low Temperature Physics

Identifiers

Deposited by Research Information System (atira) on 08-Mar-2013 in Royal Holloway Research Online.Last modified on 08-Mar-2013


Details