Ultralow-fluence single-shot optical crystalline-to-amorphous phase transition in Ge-Sb-Te nanoparticles.

Here we demonstrate that the 0-dimensional confinement of Ge2Sb2Te5 results in a drastic reduction of the minimum critical fluence required for optical-induced amorphization when compared to the thin-film cases. We show that by using single-shot laser pulses, the investigated nanoparticles display a crystalline-to-amorphous transition, satisfying a mandatory requirement of a bit-memory element. These unprecedented results open a viable route to boost energy efficient phase-change processes.

Ultrafast magnetodynamics with free-electron lasers.

The study of ultrafast magnetodynamics has entered a new era thanks to the groundbreaking technological advances in free-electron laser (FEL) light sources. The advent of these light sources has made possible unprecedented experimental schemes for time-resolved x-ray magneto-optic spectroscopies, which are now paving the road for exploring the ultimate limits of out-of-equilibrium magnetic phenomena. In particular, these studies will provide insights into elementary mechanisms governing spin and orbital dynamics, therefore contributing to the development of ultrafast devices for relevant magnetic technologies. This topical review focuses on recent advancement in the study of non-equilibrium magnetic phenomena from the perspective of time-resolved extreme ultra violet (EUV) and soft x-ray spectroscopies at FELs with highlights of some important experimental results.

Giant magneto-electric coupling in 100 nm thick Co capped by ZnO nanorods.

Here we report a giant, completely reversible magneto-electric coupling of 100 nm polycrystalline Co layer in contact with ZnO nanorods. When the sample is under an applied bias of ±2 V, the Co magnetic coercivity is reduced by a factor 5 from the un-poled case, with additionally a reduction of total magnetic moment in Co. Taking into account the chemical properties of ZnO nanorods measured by X-rays absorption near edge spectroscopy under bias, we conclude that these macroscopic effects on the magnetic response of the Co layer are due to the microstructure and the strong strain-driven magneto-electric coupling induced by the ZnO nanorods, whose nanostructuration maximizes the piezoelectric response under bias.

Revisiting the Local Structure in Ge-Sb-Te based Chalcogenide Superlattices.

The technological success of phase-change materials in the field of data storage and functional systems stems from their distinctive electronic and structural peculiarities on the nanoscale. Recently, superlattice structures have been demonstrated to dramatically improve the optical and electrical performances of these chalcogenide based phase-change materials. In this perspective, unravelling the atomistic structure that originates the improvements in switching time and switching energy is paramount in order to design nanoscale structures with even enhanced functional properties. This study reveals a high- resolution atomistic insight of the [GeTe/Sb2Te3] interfacial structure by means of Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Based on our results we propose a consistent novel structure for this kind of chalcogenide superlattices.

MagneDyn: the beamline for magneto dynamics studies at FERMI.

The future Magneto Dynamics (MagneDyn) beamline will be devoted to study the electronic states and the local magnetic properties of excited and transient states of complex systems by means of the time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy technique. The beamline will use FERMI's high-energy source covering the wavelength range from 60 nm down to 1.3 nm. An on-line photon energy spectrometer will allow spectra to be measured with high resolution while delivering most of the beam to the end-stations. Downstream the beam will be possibly split and delayed, by means of a delay line, and then focused with a set of active Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors. These mirrors will be able to focus the radiation in one of the two MagneDyn experimental chambers: the electromagnet end-station and the resonant inelastic X-ray scattering end-station. After an introduction of the MagneDyn scientific case, the layout will be discussed showing the expected performances of the beamline.