Materials exhibiting new functionalities due to interdependent electric (e.g. conductivity) and magnetic properties are potentially interesting for spintronics applications. We have investigated electronic and magnetic properties by means of x-ray spectroscopies and SQUID magnetometry in several magnetic materials, often in the form of thin films, which have shown promising properties for applications. One of the main subjects has been studies of inter-diffusion between layers in multilayer structures, which is an important factor for spin-dependent transport and magnetic properties. These studies have been performed by high kinetic (HIKE) photoemission spectroscopy where high photon energies increase the bulk sensitivity in comparison to soft x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Cu/Ni multilayers were studied mainly as a model system and revealed a diffusion process that was dependent on layer thicknesses and capping materials. CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB, which is used as a magnetic field sensor in hard drives, has recently been shown to exhibit a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) switchable by electric fields. We have studied both the interface quality and magnetic properties of thin CoFeB layers exhibiting PMA. Layered structures of full Heusler alloys Co2MnGe/Rh2CuSn have been proposed as a promising candidate for current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magneto-resistance sensors. Using HIKE,we have shown that diffusion of atoms, mainly Mn, occurs at temperatures lower than what is used in device fabrication, which likely contributes to the limited magneto-resistance values obtained. Lately, a large body of research has been performed on semiconductors doped with transition metal elements with the hope to find a ferromagnetic semiconductor at room temperature, a foundation for new devices combining spin and charge in their functionality. We have investigated Co and Fe doping in ZnO for different concentrations of the dopants and different annealing temperatures. The Co and Fe atoms are shown to forms clusters for which antiferromagnetic interactions are dominating.

Calcula-se o espectro de foto emissão (XPS) no modelo de Anderson com degenerescência de spin. Baseado na técnica do grupo de renormalização, introduzindo originalmente por Wilson para calcular a suscetibilidade magnética do modelo de Kondo, o cálculo numérico tem precisão uniforme sobre todo o espaço paramétrico do modelo de Anderson; para qualquer energia foto eletrônica estima-se um erro máximo de 4% para a corrente de foto emissão calculada. O espectro calculado apresenta dois picos, associados com as duas possíveis transições induzidas pelo raios-X entre as ocupações do orbital <nf>= 0,1 ou 2: um primeiro pico de ionização correspondente à transição nf=2 &#8594 nf=1 e um segundo pico de ionização correspondente à transição nf=1 &#8594 nf=0. Para o caso em que a configuração nf=2 do orbital f tem a mais baixa energia, o primeiro pico é dominante. A medida que a energia da configuração duplamente ocupada cresce em relação à da configuração nf=1 (de maneira que o valor de nf no estafo fundamental diminui) o segundo pico de ionização cresce em relação ao primeiro. Finalmente quando nf 1 no estado fundamental, o segundo pico praticamente domina toda a intensidade espectral integrada; nesse caso (1) o primeiro pico torna-se estreito (com largura da ordem da temperatura de Kondo) centrado no nível de Fermi e (2) próximo ao nível de Fermi a corrente de foto emissão é representada por uma função universal da energia foto eletrônica escalada pela temperatura de Kondo. / X-ray photoemission spectra (XPS) are calculated for the spin-degenerate Anderson modelo f Valence fluctuation compounds. Based on the renormalization group technique originally introduced by Wilson to calculate the magnetic susceptibility for the Kondo model, the numerical calculation has uniform accurancy over the entire parameter space of the Anderson model; at any given photo-electron energy, a maximum error of 4% is estimated for the calculated photoemission current. The calculated spectra display two peaks associated with the two possible x-ray induced transitions between the nf= 0,1 or 2 occupations of the f-orbital: a first ionization peak corresponding to the nf=2 &#8594 nf=1 transition and a second ionization peak due to the nf=1 &#8594 nf=0 transition. For the case in which the nf=2 configuration of the f-orbital has the lowest energy, the former peak is dominant. As the energy of the doubly occupied configuration increases relative to the nf=1 configuration, (so that decreases in the ground state) the second ionization peak grows relative to the first one. Finally, as &#8594 1 in the ground state the second ionization peak covers mosto f the integrated spectral density; in this case (1) the first ionization peak becomes a Spike (width of the order of the Kondo temperature) centered at the Fermi level and (2) in the vicinity of the Fermi level the photoemission current is described by a universal function of the photoelectron energy scaled by the Kondo temperature.

No description available.

Calcula-se o espectro de foto emissão (XPS) no modelo de Anderson com degenerescência de spin. Baseado na técnica do grupo de renormalização, introduzindo originalmente por Wilson para calcular a suscetibilidade magnética do modelo de Kondo, o cálculo numérico tem precisão uniforme sobre todo o espaço paramétrico do modelo de Anderson; para qualquer energia foto eletrônica estima-se um erro máximo de 4% para a corrente de foto emissão calculada. O espectro calculado apresenta dois picos, associados com as duas possíveis transições induzidas pelo raios-X entre as ocupações do orbital <nf>= 0,1 ou 2: um primeiro pico de ionização correspondente à transição nf=2 &#8594 nf=1 e um segundo pico de ionização correspondente à transição nf=1 &#8594 nf=0. Para o caso em que a configuração nf=2 do orbital f tem a mais baixa energia, o primeiro pico é dominante. A medida que a energia da configuração duplamente ocupada cresce em relação à da configuração nf=1 (de maneira que o valor de nf no estafo fundamental diminui) o segundo pico de ionização cresce em relação ao primeiro. Finalmente quando nf 1 no estado fundamental, o segundo pico praticamente domina toda a intensidade espectral integrada; nesse caso (1) o primeiro pico torna-se estreito (com largura da ordem da temperatura de Kondo) centrado no nível de Fermi e (2) próximo ao nível de Fermi a corrente de foto emissão é representada por uma função universal da energia foto eletrônica escalada pela temperatura de Kondo. / X-ray photoemission spectra (XPS) are calculated for the spin-degenerate Anderson modelo f Valence fluctuation compounds. Based on the renormalization group technique originally introduced by Wilson to calculate the magnetic susceptibility for the Kondo model, the numerical calculation has uniform accurancy over the entire parameter space of the Anderson model; at any given photo-electron energy, a maximum error of 4% is estimated for the calculated photoemission current. The calculated spectra display two peaks associated with the two possible x-ray induced transitions between the nf= 0,1 or 2 occupations of the f-orbital: a first ionization peak corresponding to the nf=2 &#8594 nf=1 transition and a second ionization peak due to the nf=1 &#8594 nf=0 transition. For the case in which the nf=2 configuration of the f-orbital has the lowest energy, the former peak is dominant. As the energy of the doubly occupied configuration increases relative to the nf=1 configuration, (so that decreases in the ground state) the second ionization peak grows relative to the first one. Finally, as &#8594 1 in the ground state the second ionization peak covers mosto f the integrated spectral density; in this case (1) the first ionization peak becomes a Spike (width of the order of the Kondo temperature) centered at the Fermi level and (2) in the vicinity of the Fermi level the photoemission current is described by a universal function of the photoelectron energy scaled by the Kondo temperature.

In order to elucidate the effects of nanostructuring on electron behavior in vanadium oxides, a suite of x-ray spectroscopy techniques was employed to comprehensively characterize the electronic structures of V2O5 and VO2 nanoparticles and compare them to their bulk counterparts. V2O5 and VO2 nanoparticle powders were characterized via PXRD, TEM, and HR-TEM to confirm size, purity, and crystallinity. Additionally, DSC and temperature-varied PXRD measurements on both VO2 samples confirmed the structural aspect of the monoclinic to rutile metal-insulator phase transition, and UV-Vis measurements allowed for Kubelka-Munk analysis on the V2O5 samples. XAS measurements enable the comparison of unoccupied conduction band states, while XES and RIXS measurements reveal occupied valence band states and the individual vanadium and oxygen PDOS below the Fermi level. XPS measurements of both core and valence band states both confirmed the valence band structure revealed by XES and also provide information on core-state energy levels. In the case of V2O5, the valence band O 2p states are upshifted in the nanoparticle sample, while the lowest V 3d conduction band states are unshifting but provide more available unoccupied states for excitation. These changes produce a shrunken bandgap in the V2O5 nanoparticles that is in line with much previous computational work, but unexpected from previous experimental results and defies the Moss-Burstein effect usually observed in V2O5. The resulting changes in band structure are attributed to a higher concentration of oxygen vacancy defects in the nanoparticle sample. Additionally, electron correlation effects in V2O5 nanoparticles are found to be enhanced relative to the bulk, likely due to added electron presence in the V 3d split-off band. In the case of VO2, dramatic changes in both the valence band and conduction band states are observed both below and above the structural phase transition temperature. These changes (lowered unoccupied conduction band states coupled with broadened and upshifted occupied valence band states) also lead to nanoparticle bandgap reduction and enhanced metallicity. The enhanced metallic nature of the VO2 nanoparticles is again attributed to the increased presence of surface oxygen vacancy defects, as well as a V2O3-like surface reconstruction. Additionally, electron correlation effects are found to be reduced in the VO2 nanoparticle samples relative to the bulk, unlike in the case of V2O5.

Abstract This thesis is dedicated to realizations and physical understanding of electronic and photocatalytic properties after decorating transition metals to the semiconducting molybdenum disulfide. Synthesized via facile wet chemical methods, the MoS₂-Au, MoS₂-Au-Ni and MoS₂-Ag-Ni composites were formed as binary or ternary compounds. The Au nanoparticles are stably joined to the MoS₂ matrix without deteriorating layered structures of the host. After introducing the Au nanoglue as a common buffer, a metallic contact is reached between Ni and MoS₂, and attributed to new electron migration channel via MoS₂ edge contact. Adapting the Ag as the buffer element can attach the Ni to the basal plane of the MoS₂ beside edge contact. The Ni-Ag-MoS₂ composite effectively splits water under visible light irradiation and produce hydrogen. The excellent photocatalytic activity is attributed to effective charge migration through dangling bonds at the MoS2-Ag-Ni alloy interface and the activation of MoS₂ basal planes. / Original papers The original publications are not included in the electronic version of the dissertation. W. Cao, V. Pankratov, M. Huttula, X. Shi, S. Saukko, Z. Huang, M. Zhang. Gold nanoparticles on MoS2 layered crystal flakes. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 158, 89−95 (2015). DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2015.03.041 X. Shi, S. Posysaev, M. Huttula, V. Pankratov, J. Hoszowska, J.-Cl. Dousse, F. Zeeshan, Y. Niu, A. Zakharov, T. Li, O. Miroshnichenko, M. Zhang, X. Wang, Z. Huang, S. Saukko, D. L. González, S. van Dijken, M. Alatalo, W. Cao. Metallic contact between MoS₂ and Ni via Au nanoglue. Small, 14, 1704526 (2018). DOI: 10.1002/smll.201704526 http://jultika.oulu.fi/Record/nbnfi-fe2018060525279 X. Shi, M. Huttula, V. Pankratov, J. Hoszowska, J.-Cl. Dousse, F. Zeeshan, Y. Niu, A. Zakharov, Z. Huang, G. Wang, S. Posysaev, O. Miroshnichenko, M. Alatalo, W. Cao. Quantification of bonded Ni atoms for Ni-MoS₂ metallic contact through X-ray photoemission electron microscopy. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 24, 458−459 (2018). DOI: 10.1017/S1431927618014526 http://jultika.oulu.fi/Record/nbnfi-fe2018082834233 X. Shi, M. Zhang, W. Cao, X. Wang, M. Huttula. Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution via activated multilayer MoS₂. Manuscript. X. Shi, Z. Huang, M. Huttula, T. Li, S. Li, X. Wang, Y. Luo, M. Zhang, W. Cao. Introducing magnetism into 2D nonmagnetic inorganic layered crystals: a brief review from first-principles aspects. Crystals, 8, 24 (2018). DOI: 10.3390/cryst8010024 http://jultika.oulu.fi/Record/nbnfi-fe201802153441

For over half a century, the technological promise of spins manipulable by a small voltage has captivated the interest of experimental and theoretical researchers alike. However, if thin-film multiferroics are to be incorporated into future data storage devices, a much greater understanding of their behaviour and how they differ from their bulk counterparts is required. In this thesis, we probe the fundamental multiferroic properties of BiFeO₃ films through a combination of state-of-the-art diffraction and microscopy techniques. We investigate the coupling between magnetic, ferroelectric, and structural order, with a focus on domains, and how the domain structure may be manipulated in order to tailor the multiferroic properties of the material. Using non-resonant magnetic x-ray scattering (NXMS) and neutron diffraction, we study the magnetic and structural properties of (111)_pc-oriented BiFeO₃ films. Contrary to the general belief that to they grow as a rhombohedral monodomain, we find that they comprise a sub-micron texture of monoclinic domains. The magnetic structure is found to be intimately coupled to the structure, resulting in the propagation vector being locked to the monoclinic b-axis. This magnetoelastic coupling opens up a route to strain-engineer the magnetic domains via epitaxial strain. By growing BiFeO₃ films on a lower-symmetry, TbScO₃ substrate, we are able to engineer a magnetic, structural and ferroelectric monodomain, coherent over the entire film, constituting an increase in the domain size by over five orders of magnitude. We directly demonstrate the coupling between ferroelectric and magnetic order parameters of the cycloidal magnetic structure. Using NXMS polarimetry to measure directly the magnetic polarity, we show that upon switching the ferroelectric polarisation, the magnetic polarity switches accordingly---a major rearrangement of the magnetic structure, with each spin rotating by 90 degrees on average. This goes counter to idea that magnetic and ferroelectric order parameters are only weakly coupled in type-I multiferroics. Finally, using photoemission electron microscopy we are able to directly image the sub-micron magnetostructural domain structure. We further show that there is a strong interfacial coupling between the magnetostructural domains of BiFeO₃ with a ferromagnetic overlayer. The BiFeO₃ domains are found to impose a uniaxial anisotropy in the overlayer, opening up a route to control ferromagnetic domains.

No description available.

Transition-metal oxides (TMOs) display numerous fascinating and complex properties, such as mixed-valency, low dimensionality, lattice distortion, and phase transition, etc. These properties arise from the partially filled d- or f-electron shells of TM cations and are often accompanied by the intriguing interplay between degrees of freedom. To understand the complexity of d-electron TMOs, this thesis is primarily focused on studying their underlying electronic structure using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS). The measurements at the O K- and TM L-edges are achieved by taking advantage of high-flux and high-resolution synchrotron radiation light with tunable monochromatic photon energy. Four electronically and structurally distinctive oxides are selected as representative TMOs for investigation in this thesis. To begin with, through a comparative study of WO3 and Na0.67WO3 crystals, the narrowing of the conduction band is observed with Na doping and the core-hole energy shift in the O K-edge XAS process is experimentally determined. Indirect and direct band gaps of photoanode WO3 are measured from the resonant XES with polarization-dependent experimental geometry. The other sodium bronze studied is quasi-one-dimensional β-Na0.33V2O5 polycrystalline film. The film stoichiometry, preferential orientation, and orbital anisotropy are well characterized by a variety of photon and electron techniques and compared to density-functional theory (DFT) calculation. The V 3d orbital splitting of β-Na0.33V2O5 is surveyed by the V L-edge RIXS and compared with isoelectronic β-Sr0.17V2O5 regarding distortions to VO6 octahedra. Furthermore, the complex electronic structure of Mott insulators La1-xLuxVO3 is investigated to understand their spin-orbital phase diagram. The effects of rare-earth size on the O 2p hybridization states and the local crystal field of VO6 octahedron are found to agree with the prediction of DFT calculation and the evolution of crystal structure. The changes of experimental spectra with temperature are associated with Jahn-Teller distortion and orbital ordering due to structural phase transition. Lastly, the band structure and low-energy excitations of spinel MnV2O4 are explored using soft x-ray spectroscopies and theoretical calculations. The presence of Hubbard bands and the mixing between V and Mn 3d states are suggested both experimentally and theoretically.

No description available.