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

Grace L. Causer, Laura Guasco, Oliver Paull, David Cortie

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleResearchpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2200421
Number of pages18
JournalPhysica Status Solidi: Rapid Research Letters
Volume17
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • chiral magnets
  • hydrogen
  • neutron scattering
  • superconductors
  • thin film interfaces
  • topological materials
  • transition metal oxide interfaces

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