Hiroki Wadati

Rocksalt-type heavy rare earth monoxides REOs (RE = Tb, Dy, Er) were synthesized as single phase epitaxial thin films for the first time. They exhibited metallic electronic states and a much higher T_C than the corresponding rare earth nitrides.

Abstract In the present study, we investigated the magnetization dynamics of a Gd₂₃Fe₆₇Co₁₀ nanofilm. We subjected the nanofilm to a time-resolved experiment to examine its magneto-optical effect using an X-ray free electron laser. By tuning the energy of the photons to the core-level resonance of the Fe absorption edge, we selectively determined the magnetic behavior of the elements at the Fe site in the nanofilm. When triggered by an ultrashort pulse of infrared radiation, the materials underwent demagnetization and magnetic reversal, depending on fluence of the laser. The following relaxation process was found to be associated not only with the fast recursion but also with a long sustention of the reversed magnetization. The experimental observation consistently match with the recent prediction by the magnetic dynamic simulation. The ultrafast dynamics was triggered by the ultrafast thermal effect and it was recovered toward the initial state in the non-thermal manner.

Abstract In this study, we show that doping lanthanides into lamellar crystals reorganizes the lamellar structure and dramatically changes the crystal morphology. Azo-DA, a compound with azobenzene derivatives and carboxylic acids at both ends of the diacetylene moiety, formed plate-like lamellar crystals. The doping of holmium (Ho), a lanthanide, into the film obtained by stacking Azo-DA lamellar crystals, promoted a dramatic change in crystal morphology, resulting in the formation of an Azo-DA/Ho film with a radial lamellar crystal structure. A detailed investigation of the crystal growth process revealed that Azo-DA/Ho, which is slightly formed in the solution phase during Ho doping, acts as a pseudonucleating agent and dramatically changes the morphology of the lamellar crystals. Additionally, the morphological changes in the lamellar crystal films significantly changed the surface properties of the films, such as their appearance and water repellency. Similar morphological changes in lamellar crystals were induced when other lanthanide elements were used instead of Ho, and the type of lanthanide dopant can affect the magnetic properties of the films.