A Fourier approach to fields and electron optical phase-shifts calculations

Coexistence and Coupling of Multiple Charge Orderings and Spin States in Hexagonal Ferrite

The coupling between charge and spin orderings in strongly correlated systems plays a crucial role in fundamental physics and device applications. As a candidate of multiferroic materials, LuFe₂O₄ with a nominal Fe^2.5+ valence state has the potential for strong charge-spin interactions; however, these interactions have not been fully understood until now. Here, combining complementary characterization methods with theoretical calculations, two types of charge orderings with distinct magnetic properties are revealed. The ground states of LuFe₂O₄ are decided by the parallel/antiparallel coupling of both charge and spin orderings in the adjacent FeO double layers. Whereas the ferroelectric charge ordering remains ferrimagnetic below 230 K, the antiferroelectric ordering undergoes antiferromagnetic-ferrimagnetic-paramagnetic transitions from 2 K to room temperature. This study demonstrates the unique aspects of strong spin-charge coupling within LuFe₂O₄. Our results shed light on the coexistence and competing nature of orderings in quantum materials.

Observation of domain wall bimerons in chiral magnets

Topological defects embedded in or combined with domain walls have been proposed in various systems, some of which are referred to as domain wall skyrmions or domain wall bimerons. However, the experimental observation of such topological defects remains an ongoing challenge. Here, using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, we report the experimental discovery of domain wall bimerons in chiral magnet Co-Zn-Mn(110) thin films. By applying a magnetic field, multidomain structures develop, and simultaneously, chained or isolated bimerons arise as the localized state between the domains with the opposite in-plane components of net magnetization. The multidomain formation is attributed to magnetic anisotropy and dipolar interaction, and domain wall bimerons are stabilized by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. In addition, micromagnetic simulations show that domain wall bimerons appear for a wide range of conditions in chiral magnets with cubic magnetic anisotropy. Our results promote further study in various fields of physics.

A sorter for electrons based on magnetic elements

The orbital angular momentum (OAM) sorter is an electron optical device for the measurement of an electron's OAM. It is based on two phase elements, which are referred to as an "unwrapper" and a "corrector" and are located in Fourier conjugate planes. The simplest implementation of the sorter is based on electrostatic phase elements, such as a charged needle for the unwrapper and electrodes with alternating charges or potentials for the corrector. Here, we use a formal analogy between phase shifts introduced by charges and vertical currents to propose alternative designs for the sorter elements, which are based on phase shifts introduced by magnetic fields. We use this concept to provide a general guide for phase element design, which promises to provide improved reliability of phase control in electron optics.

Phase contrast image simulations for electron holography of magnetic and electric fields

The research on flux line lattices and pancake vortices in superconducting materials, carried out within a long and fruitful collaboration with Akira Tonomura and his group at the Hitachi Advanced Research Laboratory, led us to develop a mathematical framework, based on the reciprocal representation of the magnetic vector potential, that enables us to simulate realistic phase images of fluxons. The aim of this paper is to review the main ideas underpinning our computational framework and the results we have obtained throughout the collaboration. Furthermore, we outline how to generalize the approach to model other samples and structures of interest, in particular thin ferromagnetic films, ferromagnetic nanoparticles and p-n junctions.

Electron optical phase-shifts by Fourier methods: Analytical versus numerical calculations

The theoretical framework for the computation of electromagnetic fields and electron optical phase-shifts in Fourier space has been recently applied to objects with long-range fringing fields, such as reverse-biased p-n junctions and magnetic stripe domains near a specimen edge. In addition to new analytical results, in this work, we present a critical comparison between numerical and analytical computations. The influence of explicit and implicit boundary conditions on the phase shifts and phase-contrast images is also investigated in detail.