Impact of Symmetry on Anisotropic Magnetoresistance in Textured Ferromagnetic Thin Films.

We report on the magnetoresistance of textured films consisting of 3d-ferromagnetic layers sandwiched by Pt. While the conventional cos^{2}φ behavior of the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) is found when the magnetization M is varied in the film plane, cos^{2n}θ contributions (2n≤6) exist for rotating M in the plane perpendicular to the current. This finding is explained by the symmetry-adapted modeling of AMR of textured films demonstrating that the cos^{2}θ behavior cannot be used as a fingerprint for the presence of spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR). Further, the interfacial MR contributions for Pt/Ni/Pt contradict the SMR behavior confirming the dominant role of AMR in all-metallic systems.

Breakdown of the x-ray resonant magnetic scattering signal during intense pulses of extreme ultraviolet free-electron-laser radiation.

We present results of single-shot resonant magnetic scattering experiments of Co/Pt multilayer systems using 100 fs long ultraintense pulses from an extreme ultraviolet (XUV) free-electron laser. An x-ray-induced breakdown of the resonant magnetic scattering channel during the pulse duration is observed at fluences of 5 J/cm(2). Simultaneously, the speckle contrast of the high-fluence scattering pattern is significantly reduced. We performed simulations of the nonequilibrium evolution of the Co/Pt multilayer system during the XUV pulse duration. We find that the electronic state of the sample is strongly perturbed during the first few femtoseconds of exposure leading to an ultrafast quenching of the resonant magnetic scattering mechanism.

Anisotropic interface magnetoresistance in Pt/Co/Pt sandwiches.

We report on an effect of reduced dimensionality on the magnetotransport in cobalt layers sandwiched by platinum. In a current in-plane geometry it is found that the resistivity depends on the magnetization orientation within the plane perpendicular to the current direction. The resistivity shows a symmetry adapted cos(2) dependence on the angle to the surface normal, with the maximum along the surface normal. The Co thickness dependence of the effect in Pt/Co/Pt sandwiches clearly points out that the mechanism behind this effect originates at the Co/Pt interfaces and is disparate to the texture induced geometrical size effect.

Imaging the in-plane magnetization in a Co microstructure by Fourier transform holography.

We report on experiments using Fourier transform holography to image the in-plane magnetization of a magnetic microstructure. Magnetic sensitivity is achieved via the x-ray magnetic circular dichroism effect by recording holograms in transmission at off-normal incidence. The reference beam is defined by a narrow hole milled at an inclined angle into the opaque mask. We present magnetic domain images of an in-plane magnetized cobalt element with a size of 2 µm × 2 µm× 20 nm. The domain pattern shows a multi-vortex state that deviates from the simple Landau ground state.

Observation of compact ferrimagnetic skyrmions in DyCo3 film.

Owing to the experimental discovery of magnetic skyrmions stabilized by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya and/or dipolar interactions in thin films, there is a recent upsurge of interest in magnetic skyrmions with antiferromagnetic spins in order to overcome the fundamental limitations inherent with skyrmions in ferromagnetic materials. Here, we report on the observation of compact ferrimagnetic skyrmions for the class of amorphous alloys consisting of 4f rare-earth and 3d transition-metal elements with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, using a DyCo3 film, that are identified by combining X-ray magnetic scattering, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, and Hall transport technique. These skyrmions, with antiparallel aligned Dy and Co magnetic moments and a characteristic core radius of about 40 nm, are formed during the nucleation and annihilation of the magnetic maze-like domain pattern exhibiting a topological Hall effect contribution. Our findings provide a promising route for fundamental research in the field of ferrimagnetic/antiferromagnetic spintronics towards practical applications.

Patient restraints.

This is the first column in a new feature that focuses on the questions health care managers ask the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Both the JCAHO and Nursing Management's editors urge you, the readers, to submit your questions (see address at end of column).

Competence: the shot heard around the nursing world.

In this column, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) addresses the issue of competence, how it is documented and the areas in which staff must demonstrate competence. Readers are urged to send in any questions they may have and JCAHO staff will answer them.

"Conscious sedation". Questions about the anesthesia continuum.

In this column, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) addresses the issue of conscious sedation, which standards apply and what JCAHO expects in regard to the development, implementation and evaluation of hospital-developed protocols for the care of sedated/anesthetized patients.

Nursing quality improvement?

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Standards (JCAHO) considers quality improvement to be an interdisciplinary effort spanning structure, process and outcomes measurement. Both the JCAHO and Nursing Management's editors urge you, the readers, to submit your questions (see address at the end of column).

Ethics and patients' rights.

In recent years, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Standards (JCAHO) has become sensitive to the complex problems hospitals and other agencies face in the care of patients today ... and thus the JCAHO has promulgated standards about patients' rights and duties, and about the handling of ethical problems since 1988. Both the JCAHO and Nursing Management's editors urge you, the readers, to submit your questions (see address at end of column).

Infection control.

The Joint Commission promulgates six standards related to infection control--and it expects all employees to be involved in preventing nosocomical infections. Both the JCAHO and Nursing Management's editors urge you, the readers, to submit your questions for response in this column.

Does JCAHO require one nurse executive?

Rumors have been flying that the Joint Commission is going to eliminate the requirement for a single nurse executive as required by standard NR. 1 in the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals (CAMH). This column clarifies the JCAHO's intent in this regard.

What is age-specified competence?

About 35% of the 1,238 hospitals surveyed in the first 9 months of 1996 received Type I recommendations regarding the provision of evidence of age-specific competence for staff. This column answers questions commonly asked about age-specific competence, how it is measured and how a facility can comply with this JCAHO requirement.

Common questions about JCAHO standards.

This column is dedicated to answering a variety of the most commonly asked questions regarding JCAHO requirements for accreditation. The subjects range from performance reviews to staffing ratios to counting drugs--and more.

The adequacy of nurse staffing.

The JCAHO advises that staffing changes, with or without restructuring, should include a framework for improving patient care. This article explores such a framework, as well as addressing common questions about staffing. Both the JCAHO and Nursing Management's editors urge you, the readers, to submit your questions (see address at the end of the column).

Question & Answer from the JCAHO. A'sourcebook' for leaders.

With nurse managers' role constantly changing, where can they turn for a leadership model? The Leadership function of the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals, 1998.

NR.1: What's the status?

After input from the field, JCAHO decided not to change NR.1 and, in fact, adopted (language that strengthens and clarifies the intent of the standard.

Counting, checking, and locking.

Medication Use (TX.3) stimulates many questions: Is the JCAHO driving your actions; is it a sacred cow; is it "we've always done it this way"; do the state, local, or federal laws and rules mandate that you do these things? The JCAHO requirements differ from other agency mandates-counting ensures an adequate supply of drugs and prevents diversion; checking maintains readiness; and locking controls and secures drugs.

Questions & answers from the JCAHO. What's new for 1999? Part 1.

Nurse managers can save time by reading this overview of the JCAHO's changes for 1999. Changes include a new performance improvement chapter and new nurse executive standards.

"Closet" incidents.

Learn what constitutes a sentinel event and how to identify possible system failures.