Topical Review of Quantum Materials and Heterostructures Studied by Polarized Neutron Reflectometry

A review of the applications of polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) for the investigation of quantum materials is provided. Recent studies of superconductors, strongly correlated oxides, hydrogen‐induced modifications, topological insulators and chiral magnets are highlighted. The PNR technique us...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physica status solidi. PSS-RRL. Rapid research letters 2023-06, Vol.17 (6), p.n/a
Main Authors: Causer, Grace L., Guasco, Laura, Paull, Oliver, Cortie, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
chiral magnets
Heterostructures
Hydrogen
Light elements
Magnetic flux
Magnetic properties
Magnets
neutron scattering
Reflectometry
Spatial resolution
Stoichiometry
Superconductivity
Superconductors
thin film interfaces
Thin films
Topological insulators
topological materials
transition metal oxide interfaces
Two dimensional materials
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A review of the applications of polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) for the investigation of quantum materials is provided. Recent studies of superconductors, strongly correlated oxides, hydrogen‐induced modifications, topological insulators and chiral magnets are highlighted. The PNR technique uses a quantum beam of spin‐polarized neutrons to measure the nanomagnetic structure of thin films and heterostructures, with a sensitivity to magnetization at the scale of 10–2000 emu cm−3 and a vertical spatial resolution of 1–500 nm. From simple beginnings studying the magnetic flux penetration at superconducting surfaces, today the PNR technique is widely used for investigating many different types of thin film structures, surfaces, interfaces, and 2D materials. PNR measurements can reveal a number of details about magnetic, electronic, and superconducting properties, in tandem with chemical information including the stoichiometry of light elements such as oxygen and hydrogen. A review of recent studies using polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) to investigate quantum materials and heterostructures is presented. Topical examples including superconductors, strongly correlated oxides, hydrogen‐induced modifications, topological insulators and chiral magnets studied by PNR are discussed. Current limitations and future opportunities of the PNR technique for the study of quantum materials are also highlighted.
ISSN:1862-6254
1862-6270
DOI:10.1002/pssr.202200421