Fractional Marcus-Hush-Chidsey-Yakopcic current-voltage model for redox-based resistive memory devices

We propose a circuit-level model combining the Marcus-Hush-Chidsey electron current equation and the Yakopcic equation for the state variable for describing resistive switching memory devices of the structure metal-ionic conductor-metal. We extend the dynamics of the state variable originally described by a first-order time derivative by introducing a fractional derivative with an arbitrary order between zero and one. We show that the extended model fits with great fidelity the current-voltage characteristic data obtained on a Si electrochemical metallization memory device with Ag-Cu alloy.

An ab initio approach to anisotropic alloying into the Si(001) surface

By employing density functional theory calculations, we explore the initial stage of competitive alloying of co-deposited silver and indium atoms into a silicon surface. In particular, we identify respective adsorption positions and activation barriers governing their diffusion on a dimer-reconstructed silicon surface. Furthermore, we develop a growth model that appropriately describes diffusion mechanisms and silicon morphology with the account of silicon dimerization and the presence of C-type defects. Based on the surface kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, we examine the dynamics of bimetallic adsorption and elaborate on the temperature effects on the submonolayer growth of an Ag-In alloy. A close inspection of adatom migration clearly indicates effective nucleation of Ag and In atoms, followed by the formation of orthogonal atomic chains. We show that the epitaxial bimetallic growth might potentially lead to exotic ordering of adatoms in the form of anisotropic two-dimensional lattices via orthogonally oriented single-metal rows. We argue that this scenario becomes favorable provided above room temperature, while our numerical results are shown to be in agreement with the experimental findings.

Spin-hedgehog-derived electromagnetic effects in itinerant magnets

In itinerant magnets, the indirect exchange coupling of Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida type is known to stabilize incommensurate spin spirals, whereas an account of higher order spin interactions favors the formation of a noncoplanar magnetic texture. This is manifested by the finite Berry phase the conduction electrons accumulate when their spins follow this texture, leading thus to the topological Hall effect. We herein utilize the effective spin model with bilinear-biquadratic exchange interactions for studying the formation of the magnetic hedgehog lattice, that represents a periodic array of magnetic anti- and monopoles and has been recently observed in the B20-type compounds, in a three-dimensional itinerant magnet. As opposed to widely used Monte Carlo simulations, we employ a neural-network-based approach for exploring the ground state spin configuration in a noncentrosymmetric crystal structure. Further, we address the topological Hall conductivity, associated with nonzero scalar spin chirality, in the itinerant magnet due to the coupling to the spin hedgehog lattice, and provide the evidence of a magneto-optic Kerr effect.

XMCD and ab initio study of interface-engineered ultrathin Ru/Co/W/Ru films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and strong Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction

Understanding the nature of recently discovered spin-orbital induced phenomena and a definition of a general approach for "ferromagnet/heavy-metal" layered systems to enhance and manipulate spin-orbit coupling, spin-orbit torque, and the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) assisted by atomic-scale interface engineering are essential for developing spintronics and spin-orbitronics. Here, we exploit X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy at the L_2,3-edges of 5d and 4d non-magnetic heavy metals (W and Ru, respectively) in ultrathin Ru/Co/W/Ru films to determine their induced magnetic moments due to the proximity to the ferromagnetic layer of Co. The deduced orbital and spin magnetic moments agree well with the theoretically predicted values, highlighting the drastic effect of constituting layers on the system's magnetic properties and the strong interfacial DMI in Ru/Co/W/Ru films. As a result, we demonstrate the ability to simultaneously control the strength of magnetic anisotropy and intermixing-enhanced DMI through the interface engineered inversion asymmetry in thin-film chiral ferromagnets, which are a potential host for stable magnetic skyrmions.

On the origin of the electron accumulation layer at clean InAs(111) surfaces

In this paper, we provide a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the electronic structure of InAs(111) surfaces with special attention paid to the energy region close to the fundamental bandgap. Starting from the bulk electronic structure of InAs calculated using the PBE functional with the inclusion of Hubbard correction and spin-orbit coupling, we derive proper values for the bandgap, split-off energy, as well as effective electron, light-hole and heavy-hole masses in full consistent with the available experimental results. Besides that we address the projected density of states associated with p orbitals of bulk indium and arsenic atoms. On the basis of optimized atomic surfaces we recover scanning tunneling microscopy images and calculate the band structure and orbital distributions of surface atoms, which along with accessible experimental data make it possible to speculate on the formation of the electron accumulation layer for both As- and In-terminated InAs(111) surfaces. Moreover, these results are accompanied by charge density distribution simulations.

Localized surface electromagnetic waves in CrI3-based magnetophotonic structures

Resulting from strong magnetic anisotropy two-dimensional ferromagnetism was recently shown to be stabilized in chromium triiodide, CrI₃, in the monolayer limit. While its properties remain largely unexplored, it provides a unique material-specific platform to unveil its electromagnetic properties associated with coupling of modes. Indeed, trigonal symmetry in the presence of out-of-plane magnetization results in a non-trivial structure of the conductivity tensor, including the off-diagonal terms. In this paper, we study the surface electromagnetic waves localized in a CrI₃-based structure using the results of ab initio calculations for the CrI₃ conductivity tensor. In particular, we provide an estimate for the critical angle corresponding to the surface plasmon polariton generation in the Kretschmann-Raether configuration by a detailed investigation of reflectance spectrum as well as the magnetic field distribution for different CrI₃ layer thicknesses. We also study the bilayer structure formed by two CrI₃ layers separated by a SiO₂ spacer and show that the surface plasmon resonance can be achieved at the interface between CrI₃ and air depending on the spacer thickness.

Oxygen vacancy in ZnO- w phase: pseudohybrid Hubbard density functional study

The study of zinc oxide, within the homogeneous electron gas approximation, results in overhybridization of zinc 3d shell with oxygen 2p shell, a problem shown for most transition metal chalcogenides. This problem can be partially overcome by using LDA + U (or, GGA + U) methodology. However, in contrast to the zinc 3d orbital, Hubbard type correction is typically excluded for the oxygen 2p orbital. In this work, we provide results of electronic structure calculations of an oxygen vacancy in ZnO supercell from ab initio perspective, with two Hubbard type corrections, U Zn-3d and U O-2p. The results of our numerical simulations clearly reveal that the account of U O-2p has a significant impact on the properties of bulk ZnO, in particular the relaxed lattice constants, effective mass of charge carriers as well as the bandgap. For a set of validated values of U Zn-3d and U O-2p we demonstrate the appearance of a localized state associated with the oxygen vacancy positioned in the bandgap of the ZnO supercell. Our numerical findings suggest that the defect state is characterized by the highest overlap with the conduction band states as obtained in the calculations with no Hubbard-type correction included. We argue that the electronic density of the defect state is primarily determined by Zn atoms closest to the vacancy.

Resonant spin wave excitation in magnetoplasmonic bilayers using short laser pulses

In magnetically ordered solids a static magnetic field can be generated by virtue of the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (TMOKE). Moreover, the latter was shown to be dramatically enhanced due to the optical excitation of surface plasmons in nanostructures with relatively small optical losses. In this paper we suggest a new method for resonant optical excitation in a prototypical bilayer composed of a noble metal (Au) with grating and a ferromagnetic thin film of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) via a frequency comb. Based on magnetization dynamics simulations we show that for a frequency comb with certain parameters, chosen to be resonant with the spin-wave excitations of YIG, the TMOKE is drastically enhanced, hinting at possible technological applications in optical control of spintronics systems.

A majority gate with chiral magnetic solitons

In magnetic materials, nontrivial spin textures may emerge due to the competition among different types of magnetic interactions. Among such spin textures, chiral magnetic solitons represent topologically protected spin configurations with particle-like properties. Based on atomistic spin dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that these chiral magnetic solitons are ideal to use for logical operations, and we demonstrate the functionality of a three-input majority gate, in which the input states can be controlled by applying an external electromagnetic field or spin-polarized currents. One of the main advantages of the proposed device is that the input and output signals are encoded in the chirality of solitons, that may be moved, allowing to perform logical operations using only minute electric currents. As an example we illustrate how the three input majority gate can be used to perform logical relations, such as Boolean AND and OR.

Light-Induced Anisotropic Skyrmion and Stripe Phases in a Rashba Ferromagnet

An external off-resonant pumping is proposed as a tool to control the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) in ferromagnetic layers with strong spin-orbit coupling. Combining theoretical analysis with numerical simulations for an s-d-like model, we demonstrate that linearly polarized off-resonant light may help stabilize novel noncollinear magnetic phases by inducing a strong anisotropy of the DMI. We also investigate how with the application of electromagnetic pumping one can control the stability, shape, and size of individual Skyrmions to make them suitable for potential applications.

Nucleolin-Mediated RNA Localization Regulates Neuron Growth and Cycling Cell Size

How can cells sense their own size to coordinate biosynthesis and metabolism with their growth needs? We recently proposed a motor-dependent bidirectional transport mechanism for axon length and cell size sensing, but the nature of the motor-transported size signals remained elusive. Here, we show that motor-dependent mRNA localization regulates neuronal growth and cycling cell size. We found that the RNA-binding protein nucleolin is associated with importin β1 mRNA in axons. Perturbation of nucleolin association with kinesins reduces its levels in axons, with a concomitant reduction in axonal importin β1 mRNA and protein levels. Strikingly, subcellular sequestration of nucleolin or importin β1 enhances axonal growth and causes a subcellular shift in protein synthesis. Similar findings were obtained in fibroblasts. Thus, subcellular mRNA localization regulates size and growth in both neurons and cycling cells.

A spin dynamics approach to solitonics

In magnetic materials a variety of non-collinear ground state configurations may emerge as a result of competition among exchange, anisotropy, and dipole-dipole interaction, yielding magnetic states far more complex than those of homogenous ferromagnets. Of particular interest in this study are particle-like configurations. These particle-like states, e.g., magnetic solitons, skyrmions, or domain walls, form a spatially localised clot of magnetic energy. In this paper we address topologically protected magnetic solitons and explore concepts that potentially might be relevant for logical operations and/or information storage in the rapidly advancing filed of solitonics (and skyrmionics). An ability to easily create, address, and manipulate such structures is among the prerequisite forming a basis of "-onics technology", and is investigated in detail here using numerical and analytical tools.

Fermi condensation near van Hove singularities within the Hubbard model on the triangular lattice

The proximity of the Fermi surface to van Hove singularities drastically enhances interaction effects and leads to essentially new physics. In this work we address the formation of flat bands ("Fermi condensation") within the Hubbard model on the triangular lattice and provide a detailed analysis from an analytical and numerical perspective. To describe the effect we consider both weak-coupling and strong-coupling approaches, namely the renormalization group and dual fermion methods. It is shown that the band flattening is driven by correlations and is well pronounced even at sufficiently high temperatures, of the order of 0.1-0.2 of the hopping parameter. The effect can therefore be probed in experiments with ultracold fermions in optical lattices.

Axonal transcription factors signal retrogradely in lesioned peripheral nerve

Retrograde axonal injury signalling stimulates cell body responses in lesioned peripheral neurons. The involvement of importins in retrograde transport suggests that transcription factors (TFs) might be directly involved in axonal injury signalling. Here, we show that multiple TFs are found in axons and associate with dynein in axoplasm from injured nerve. Biochemical and functional validation for one TF family establishes that axonal STAT3 is locally translated and activated upon injury, and is transported retrogradely with dynein and importin α5 to modulate survival of peripheral sensory neurons after injury. Hence, retrograde transport of TFs from axonal lesion sites provides a direct link between axon and nucleus.

Ran on tracks – cytoplasmic roles for a nuclear regulator

The GTPase Ran is best known for its crucial roles in the regulation of nucleocytoplasmic transport in interphase cells and in the organization of the spindle apparatus during mitosis. A flurry of recent reports has now implicated Ran in diverse cytoplasmic events, including trafficking of an ephrin receptor homolog in nematode oocytes, control of neurite outgrowth in Drosophila and mammalian neurons, and retrograde signaling in nerve axons after injury. Striking findings suggest that the guanine-nucleotide state of Ran can be regulated by local translation of the Ran-binding protein RanBP1 in axons, and that an additional Ran-binding protein, RanBP10, can act as a microtubule-binding cytoplasmic guanine-nucleotide exchange factor for Ran (RanGEF) in megakaryocytes. Thus, the Ran GTPase system can act as a spatial regulator of importin-dependent transport and signaling in distal cytoplasm, and as a regulator of cytoskeletal dynamics at sites that are distant from the nucleus.

Localized regulation of axonal RanGTPase controls retrograde injury signaling in peripheral nerve

Peripheral sensory neurons respond to axon injury by activating an importin-dependent retrograde signaling mechanism. How is this mechanism regulated? Here, we show that Ran GTPase and its associated effectors RanBP1 and RanGAP regulate the formation of importin signaling complexes in injured axons. A gradient of nuclear RanGTP versus cytoplasmic RanGDP is thought to be fundamental for the organization of eukaryotic cells. Surprisingly, we find RanGTP in sciatic nerve axoplasm, distant from neuronal cell bodies and nuclei, and in association with dynein and importin-alpha. Following injury, localized translation of RanBP1 stimulates RanGTP dissociation from importins and subsequent hydrolysis, thereby allowing binding of newly synthesized importin-beta to importin-alpha and dynein. Perturbation of RanGTP hydrolysis or RanBP1 blockade at axonal injury sites reduces the neuronal conditioning lesion response. Thus, neurons employ localized mechanisms of Ran regulation to control retrograde injury signaling in peripheral nerve.