New materials with tunable physical, mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties are attractive for many applications and stand as prospective substitutes for the existing engineering materials. In that respect, complex metallic alloys (CMA) have recently demonstrated promising traits where a myriad of physical, mechanical, chemical properties can be obtained by altering the structure. CMA's have a large crystal size with thousands of atoms per unit cell. In this work, some mechanical properties and tribological behavior of Al3Mg2 based CMA are discussed. The surface characterization, deformation mode, mechanical and tribological properties of bulk and thin film Al3Mg2 materials are investigated, and compared with existing engineering materials. The results revealed a contrasting tribological behavior of Al3Mg2 when used as either bulk material or as coating. Al3Mg2 coatings act as a low friction solid lubricant under certain conditions, with a coefficient of friction comparable to that of diamond-like carbon coatings. It is suggested that the quasi-crystalline nature of Al3Mg2-coatings renders the surface stiff and that the characteristics of the wear debris generated are responsible for the low friction behavior.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of initial surface reconstruction on the nitridation process of Al2O3 (0001). This was done by exposing differently reconstructed sapphire substrates at different temperatures to low pressure ammonia (NH3). Structural and chemical analysis were carried out using low-electron energy diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The experiments revealed that using low pressure ammonia (P-NH3 < 1 X 10(-5) Torr), no nitridation takes place on (1x1) unreconstructed surfaces. However, when the unreconstructed surface starts to change to a (root 31 x root 31) R +/- 9 degrees reconstructed surface, with increasing substrate temperature, the nitridation becomes successful. When using the initially reconstructed surface, the nitridation is successful even from the lowest temperature used. These results suggest that the initial surface reconstruction has a major effect on the nitridation process. This kinetic behavior has not been reported before, with most nitridation studies mainly focusing on the effect of surface temperature on the resulting surface morphology, rather than the actual kinetics of the process itself.

Cleaning of GaN by argon sputtering and subsequent annealing introduces metallic gallium on the GaN surface. Once formed, this metallic gallium can be difficult to remove. it has a strong influence on the Fermi level position in the band gap and poses a problem for subsequent epitaxial growth on the surface. We present a method of removing metallic gallium from moderately damaged GaN surfaces by deposition of indium, and formation of an In-Ga alloy that can be desorbed by annealing at similar to 550 degrees C. After the In-Ga alloy has desorbed, photoemission spectra show that the Ga3d bulk component becomes narrower indicating a smoother and more homogeneous surface. This is also reflected in a sharper low energy electron diffraction pattern. On heavily damaged GaN surfaces, caused by hard sputtering, larger amount of metallic gallium forms after annealing at 600 degrees C. This gallium readily alloys with deposited indium, but the alloy does not desorb until a temperature of 840 degrees C is reached and even then, traces of both indium and metallic gallium could be found on the surface.

In a recent paper, Sakata et al. [ Phys. Rev. B 83 220512 (2011)] report on superconductivity at 29 K in Ca under high pressure. Here, I argue that their method to define the onset of the superconducting transition temperature from resistivity measurements is misleading and that the correct value for the onset of the transition based on resistivity data shown in their paper should be 21 K. The discrepancy between these two temperatures is explained by superconducting fluctuations occurring at temperatures above the superconducting transition temperature.

The C14 Laves-phase MgZn(2) has been investigated from 30 to 36 at. % Mg. In this way chemical disorder can be monitored over a limited concentration range and the influence on electron properties can be investigated. Our studies include thermodynamic calculations of atomic configurations of Mg and Zn at off-stoichiometric compositions, electronic-transport measurements, and electronic band-structure calculations of MgZn(2). The disorder introduced by alloying was found to be substitutional for all C14 alloys, and to have a markedly stronger effect on resistivity and magnetoresistance, Delta rho(B)/rho(0), on the Mg-rich side due to strain introduced when Mg substitutes for Zn. rho(T) and Hall constant were characteristic for weakly disordered binary alloys. Delta rho/rho of MgZn(2) was large, reached 6 at 4.2 K and 8 T, and decreased strongly at off-stoichiometric compositions. The results are discussed in view of the band-structure results and in terms of relations between atomic order and electronic properties. Several properties were found to resemble pure Zn. An empirical correlation over more than six orders of magnitude in Delta rho/rho was found for Zn and Zn-based alloys.

Unusual electronic transport properties have been found in the rhombohedral beta'-phase of the complex metallic alloy Mg2Al3. The magnetoresistance (MR) is 2 orders of magnitude larger than in the related cubic beta-Mg2Al3-phase and Kohler's rule is strongly violated in the beta'-phase at higher temperatures. Above about 100 K the Hall coefficient R-H of the beta- and beta'-phases are similar and free-electron-like, while in the beta'-phase, R-H changes sign with decreasing temperature at low fields. We have inquired into the sources of these transport anomalies, but have not been able to clearly identify the grounds. Several conventional mechanisms for a large magnetoresistance are discussed, and found not to be applicable. The different properties in the beta- and the beta'-phases are puzzling since the magnitudes of the electrical resistivities are similar and omega(c)tau (cyclotron frequencyxscattering time) is equally small in both phases. The similar temperature range in which anomalies occur in the beta'-phase in the resistivity, the Hall effect, and the magnetoresistance indicates an electronic transition or a change of the electron structure in this phase below about 100 K.

Optical properties of Fe-doped silica films on Si were investigated by ellipsometric technique in the region 1-5 eV. Samples were produced by sol-gel method. Precursors were prepared by mixing tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) solution in ethanol and water with aqueous solution of Fe-chloride or Fe-acetate. The coating solution was deposited on Si substrates by spin on technique. The size of Fe-containing nanometric-sized particles depended on technology and varied from 20 to 100 nm. Optical response of complex hybrid samples SiO2:Fe/Si was interpreted in a multi-layer model. In the inverse problem, the Maxwell equations were solved by transfer matrix technique. Dielectric function of Fe-doped silica layers was calculated in the model of effective media. Analysis of optical data has shown that various Fe-oxides formed. Experimental data for films obtained from precursors with Fe-acetate and annealed in hydrogen were well described by the model calculations taking into account a small contribution 1-5% of metal Fe imbedded in silica. The Fe/Fe-O contribution to optical response increased for samples grown from FeCl3-precursor. Ellipsometric data for Fe-doped silica films on Si were interpreted taking into account the structural AFM studies as well as the results of magnetic measurements.

We present an experimental setup for laser-based angle-resolved time-of-flight photoemission. Using a picosecond pulsed laser, photons of energy 10.5 eV are generated through higher harmonic generation in xenon. The high repetition rate of the light source, variable between 0.2 and 8 MHz, enables high photoelectron count rates and short acquisition times. By using a time-of-flight analyzer with angle-resolving capabilities, electrons emitted from the sample within a circular cone of up to +/- 15 degrees can be collected. Hence, simultaneous acquisition of photoemission data for a complete area of the Brillouin zone is possible. The current photon energy enables bulk sensitive measurements, high angular resolution, and the resulting covered momentum space is large enough to enclose the entire Brillouin zone in cuprate high-T(c) superconductors. Fermi edge measurements on polycrystalline Au shows an energy resolution better than 5 meV. Data from a test measurement of the Au(111) surface state are presented along with measurements of the Fermi surface of the high-T(c) superconductor Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+delta) (Bi2212).

A new type of hemispherical electron energy analyzer that permits angle and spin resolved photoelectron spectroscopy has been developed. The analyzer permits standard angle resolved spectra to be recorded with a two-dimensional detector in parallel with spin detection using a mini-Mott polarimeter. General design considerations as well as technical solutions are discussed and test results from the Au(111) surface state are presented.

We have deposited Na0.5NbO3 (NKN) films oil single crystal Al2O3(1 (1) under bar 02) and SrTiO3(001) substrates using rf-magnetron sputtering of a stoichiometric, high-density ceramic target. Using x-ray diffraction it was confirmed that NKN grows preferentially c-axis oriented on sapphire substrate and epitaxially oil the perovskite SrTiO3(001) substrate. Electro-optical (EO) properties were measured in visible light through a transverse method. With an applied dc field up to 20 kV/cm, the effective linear EO response was determined to r(eff) = 28 pm/V for NKN/Al2O3 and r(eff) = I I pm/V for NKN/SrTiO3, where a superlinear dependence was observed.

We report on waveguiding and electrooptic properties of epitaxial Na0.5K0.5NbO3 films grown by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering on Al2O3 (1102) single crystal substrates. High optical waveguiding performance has been demonstrated in infrared and visible light. The in-plane electrooptic effect has been recorded in transmission using a transverse geometry. At dc fields, the effective linear electrooptic coefficient was determined to 28 pm/V, which is promising for modulator applications.

High-quality ferroelectric thin films are attractive materials for integrated optics applications including electro-optic waveguide modulators and frequency doubling secondharmonic generators. Several fefroelectric thin film materials, such as BaTiO3, KNbO3, LiNbO3, and (Pb,La)(ZrTi)O-3, have been investigated regarding their optical and waveguiding properties. Recently the first results on waveguiding in ferroelectric Na0.5K0.5NbO3 (NKN) thin films were presented. Perovskite NKN films have previously been investigated as electrically tunable material for low loss rf and microwave applications. Na0.5K0.5NbO3 thin films of thickness 0.5-1.0 mum have been deposited on Nd:YAlO3(001) and Al2O3(0112) substrates using rf-magnetron sputtering of a stoichiometric, high-density ceramic target. X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed films grown highly (00l) oriented on the perovskite Nd:YAlO3 substrate and preferentially c-axis oriented on the single crystal r-cut sapphire substrate. Optical and waveguiding properties were characterized using a Metricon 2010 prism-coupling apparatus with a rutile prism. Dark-line spectra were obtained at visible light (lambda = 632.8 nm) as well as at infrared optical communication wavelengths, lambda = 1319 nm and lambda = 1549 nm, in both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarizations. Sharp dips corresponding to waveguide propagation modes in the thin film layers where observed for both substrates. The calculated refractive index values and corresponding birefringence (Deltan = n(TM) - n(TE) = n(e) - n(o)) as a function of wavelength has been compared. Generally a larger birefringence is observed for the NKN film on Nd:YAlO3, which is in agreement with the larger degree of preferential c-axis orientation measured by XRD.

Magnetization dynamics in nano-contact spin torque oscillators (STOs) is investigated from an experimental and theoretical point of view. The fundamentals of magnetization dynamics due to spin transfer torque are given.

A custom-made high frequency (up to 46 GHz) in large magnetic fields (up to 2.2 T) microwave characterization setup has been built for the purpose and described in this thesis. A unique feature of this setup is the capability of applying magnetic fields at any direction θ_e out of the sample plane, and with high precision.

This is particularly important, because the (average) out-of-plane angle of the STO free magnetic layer has fundamental impact on spin wave generation and STO operation.

By observing the spin wave spectral emission as a function of θ_e, we find that at angles θ_e below a certain critical angle θ_cr, two distinct spin wave modes can be excited: a propagating mode, and a localized mode of solitonic character (so called spin wave bullet). The experimental frequency, current threshold and frequency tuneability with current of the two modes can be described qualitatively by analytical models and quantitatively by numerical simulations. We are also able to understand the importance, so far underestimated, of the Oersted field in the dynamics of nano-contact STOs. In particular, we show that the Oersted field strongly affects the current tuneability of the propagating mode at subcritical angles, and it is also the fundamental cause of the mode hopping observed in the time-domain. This mode hopping has been observed both experimentally using a state-of-the-art real-time oscilloscope and corroborated by micromagnetic simulations. Micromagnetic simulations also reveal details of the spatial distribution of the spin wave excitations.

By investigating the emitted power as a function of θ_e, we observed two characteristic behaviors for the two spin wave modes: a monotonic increase of the power for increasing out-of-plane angles in the case of the propagating mode; an increase towards a maximum power followed by a drop of it at the critical angle for the localized mode. Both behaviors are reproduced by micromagnetic simulations. The agreement with the simulations offers also a way to better understand the precession dynamics, since the emitted power is strongly connected to the angular variation of the giant magnetoresistance signal.

We also find that the injection locking of spin wave modes with a microwave source has a strong dependence on θ_e, and reaches a maximum locking strength at perpendicular angles. We are able to describe these results in the theoretical framework of non-linear spin wave dynamics.

Through detailed experimental studies of the angular dependence of spin wave excitations in nanocontact-based spin-torque oscillators, we demonstrate that two distinct spin wave modes can be excited, with different frequency, threshold currents, and frequency tunability. Using analytical theory and micromagnetic simulations we identify one mode as an exchange-dominated propagating spin wave, and the other as a self-localized nonlinear spin wave bullet. Wavelet-based analysis of the simulations indicates that the apparent simultaneous excitation of both modes results from rapid mode hopping induced by the Oersted field.

A fabrication method for a matrix pattern of laterally separated silicon quantum rods was developed, consisting of a three-step recipe utilizing electron beam lithography (EBL), reactive ion etching (RIE), and oxidation. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements -images, spectra, and blinking-verified that the presented method results in a high number of luminescing single silicon quantum rods in well defined positions on the sample. These are suitable for single dot spectroscopy and repeatable measurements, even using different measurement methods and instruments. [GRAPHICS] Colorized scanning electron microscope images of undulating silicon nanowalls for controlled single quantum rod fabrication.

We present the results on excimer laser modification and patterning of amorphous vanadium pentoxide films. Wet positive resist-type and Ar ion-beam negative resist-type etching techniques were employed to develop UV-modified films. V2O5 films were found to possess sufficient resistivity compared to standard electronic materials thus to be promising masks for sub-micron lithography.

The work presented in this thesis aims at achieving an increased understanding of the electronic structure of materials whose properties are to a large extent governed by transition metals. All studies are based on data from angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) employed on the valence band of the studied systems. In some cases spectroscopic data have also been combined with numerical electronic structure studies performed using a density functional theory computer code.

Five of the studies make extensive use of the benefits provided by performing angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy at high photon energies. When probed with soft x-ray photons, the near Fermi edge distribution of spectral weight in Nd2-xCexCuO4 and La2-x-yNdySrxCuO4 display significant differences as compared to similar studies performed in the 20-100 eV range of photon energies. This effect can be attributed to the approximate two-fold increase in probing depth as compared to the low photon energy case.

However, high photon energies not only give increased probing depth, it also enables a straightforward interpretation of ARPES data from fully three-dimensional compounds in terms of valence band energy dispersion. This principle has been used to study the dispersions in the transition metal oxides CoO and Cu2O as well as in a proof-of-principle study, where copper was used as a test case.

CoO exhibits a magnetic phase transition at the Néel temperature, from a paramagnetic state into an antiferromagnetically ordered state. The presented data show a significant shift of spectral weight between different band structure regions as the sample temperature is elevated across the Néel temperature.

The Cu2O ARPES data have confirmed the existence of a hybridized Cu 3d - Cu 4s state. Through comparision with theoretically calculated results, a refined value of the Hubbard potential U has been determined.

An extensive ARPES dataset from copper, covering the entire Brillouin zone, has in a proof-of-principle study been used to derive the binding-energy resolved valence band charge density.

Two ARPES studies of the La2-x-yNdySrxCuO4 system have been performed in the cnventional low photon energy range. The high energy resolution has enabled a detailed study of dispersive features in the near Fermil level region of the valence band.

The peculiarities of the Bragg diffraction of optical guided waves (OGWs) by spin-dipole waves (SDWs) in a new ferrite heterostructure, based on Bi3Fe5O12(BIG) thin film deposited on a standard YIG/GGG (a Yttrium Iron Garnet thin film over a Galium Gadolinum Garnet substrate) sample, is presented. It is shown that the efficiency of waveguide magnetooptic interaction between OGWs and SDWs in BIG/YIG/GGG can be 4-14 times larger than in the standard YIG/GGG waveguide, even in the case when the interacting waves are localized in YIG waveguide layer.

We test the response of the root 3 x root 3 alpha reconstructions formed by 1/3 monolayer of tin adatoms on silicon and germanium (111) surfaces upon doping with electrons or holes, using potassium or iodine as probes/perturbers of the initial electronic structures. From detailed synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy studies we show that doping with either electrons or holes plays a complimentary role on the Si and Ge surfaces and, especially, leads to complete conversion of the Sn 4d two-component spectra into single line shapes. We find that the low binding energy component of the Sn core level for both Si and Ge surfaces corresponds to Sn adatoms with higher electronic charge, than the Sn adatoms that contribute to the core level high binding energy signal. This could be analyzed as Sn adatoms with different valence state.

Field-dependent polarized neutron reflectivity (PNR) and magnetometry are employed to study the magnetic properties of compositionally uniform and graded FePtCu films as a function of annealing temperature (T(A)). The PNR results are able to directly probe the compositional and anisotropy variations through the film thickness. Further details about how the reversal mechanisms evolve are then elucidated by using a first-order reversal curve technique. The reversal of the graded sample annealed at 300 degrees C occurs by an initial rapid switching of the dominant soft A1 phase toward the surface of the film, followed by the gradual reversal of the residual hard phase components toward the bottom. This indicates that the anisotropy gradient is not well established at this low T(A). A fundamentally different mechanism is found after annealing at 400 degrees C, where the rapid switching of the entire film is preceded by a gradual reversal of the soft layers. This suggests that the anisotropy gradient has become better established through the film thickness. The field-dependent PNR measurements confirm the existence of an anisotropy gradient, where the lower (higher) anisotropy portions are now toward the bottom (top) of the film because of the Cu compositional gradient. However, after annealing at 500 degrees C, a single rapid reversal is found, indicating the formation of a uniform hard film. In this case, PNR demonstrates a more uniform magnetic depth profile that is consistent with a uniform reference sample, suggesting significant interdiffusion of the Cu is degrading the compositional and induced anisotropy gradient at this elevated T(A).

The fabrication and subsequent analysis of continuously graded anisotropy films are discussed. During deposition, a compositional gradient is first achieved by varying the Cu concentration from Cu-rich (Fe53Pt47)(70)Cu-30 to Cu-free Fe53Pt47. The anisotropy gradient is then realized after thermal post-annealing, and by utilizing the strong composition dependence of the low-anisotropy (A1) to high-anisotropy (L1(0)) ordering temperature. The magnetic properties are investigated by surface sensitive magneto-optical Kerr effect and alternating gradient magnetometer (AGM) measurements. AGM first-order reversal curve (FORC) measurements are employed in order to provide a detailed analysis of the reversal mechanisms, and therefore the induced anisotropy gradient. At low annealing temperatures, the FORC measurements clearly indicate the highly coupled reversal of soft and hard phases. However, significant interdiffusion results in virtually uniform films at elevated annealing temperatures. Additionally, the A1 to L1(0) ordering process is found to depend on the film thickness.

Topological insulators are a class of quantum materials in which time-reversal symmetry, relativistic effects and an inverted band structure result in the occurrence of electronic metallic states on the surfaces of insulating bulk crystals. These helical states exhibit a Dirac-like energy dispersion across the bulk bandgap, and they are topologically protected. Recent theoretical results have suggested the existence of topological crystalline insulators (TCIs), a class of topological insulators in which crystalline symmetry replaces the role of time-reversal symmetry in ensuring topological protection(1,2). In this study we show that the narrow-gap semiconductor Pb1-xSnxSe is a TCI for x = 0.23. Temperature-dependent angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates that the material undergoes a temperature-driven topological phase transition from a trivial insulator to a TCI. These experimental findings add a new class to the family of topological insulators, and we anticipate that they will lead to a considerable body of further research as well as detailed studies of topological phase transitions.

Samples of a limiter tile from the TEXTOR tokamak were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and nuclear reaction analysis both before and after laser heating. SEM images showed spheres and thin flakes covering the surface which are the areas modified by plasma particles striking under grazing angles. Due to roughness of the surface there are shadowed regions between the 'flakes'. Laser pulses did not lead to expected common ablation of the surface. Features that looked like 'melting' of thin surface layers were rather observed. The initial deuterium content in the surface layer of tiles was of the order of 10(18) D atoms per cm(2). After the laser light impact the content decreased with 60-70%; by reducing the deposited power by a factor four, the deuterium content was decreased by 40-50%. We make the interpretation that we approach a threshold of the laser detritiation method in fusion devices.

A continuum of stable remanent resistance states is reported in perpendicularly magnetized pseudo spin valves with a graded anisotropy free layer. The resistance states can be systematically set by an externally applied magnetic field. The gradual reversal of the free layer with applied field and the field-independent fixed layer leads to a range of stable and reproducible remanent resistance values, as determined by the giant magnetoresistance of the device. An analysis of first-order reversal curves combined with magnetic force microscopy shows that the origin of the effect is the field-dependent population of up and down domains in the free layer.

Heteroepitaxial CeO2(80 nm)/L0.67Ca0.33MnO3(400 nm) film structures have been pulsed laser deposited on LaAlO3(001) single crystals to fabricate two terminal resistance switching devices. Ag/CeO2/L0.67Ca0.33MnO3 junctions exhibit reproducible switching between a high resistance state (HRS) with insulating properties and a semiconducting or metallic low resistance state (LRS) with resistance ratios up to 10(5). Reversible electrical switching is a polar effect achievable both in continuous sweeping mode and in the pulse regime. Successive temperature crossover of electronic transport from the thermal activation of the deep levels (E-a=320 meV) at high temperatures to thermal activation of the shallow levels (E-a=40 meV) and finally at low temperatures to the regime of temperature independent resistance, usually associated with quantum tunneling, has been found for the insulating HRS. The temperature dependence of the LRS reveals a para-to-ferromagnetic phase transition in the L0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (LCMO) electrode at T-c=260 K and an anomaly at lower temperatures similar to200 K corresponding to the Curie temperature of the Mn4+ depleted part of the LCMO film. Current-voltage characteristics in the LRS are highly nonlinear, and show negative differential conductivity (NDC). We suggest that the reversible resistance switching ocurrs due to the electric field induced nucleation of filament-type conducting valence-shifted CeOx domains inside the insulating CeO2 matrix. The abrupt insulator-to-metal transition is the result of localization of 4f electronic states in Ce3+ ions and the subsequent appearance of hole conductivity in the oxygen p-bands. NDC at low temperatures is relied upon the interband scattering of CeOx carriers from a low energy, high mobility valley into a high energy valley with low mobility.

The transport properties of sintered samples of Nd1-2xCaxMxBa2Cu3O7-delta (M = Pr, Th) with 0 <= x <= 0.10 have been studied in the normal state by Hall effect measurements. The Hall coefficient at high temperature was almost constant for Ca-Pr while it increased with increasing Ca-Th doping concentration. The results for the Hall coefficient as a function of temperature and doping concentration were analyzed within two different models. A good agreement between models and data was obtained. On the basis of these models, it was inferred that Ca-Pr and Ca-Th doping introduce electronic disorder in the CUO2 planes. The localization tendency is driven by electronic disorder. This is the main reason for strong depression of the superconducting critical temperature in both alloys. It was found that the Hall angle is proportional to T-2 in the whole measured temperature range in Ca-Pr doped samples while there are deviations at high temperature in the Ca-Th doped series. In a phenomenological narrow band model, the conduction band was asymmetric for the pure sample and this asymmetry decreased with increasing Ca-Th doping while it was almost constant for Ca-Pr doped samples.

We compare luminescent properties of several Er-doped garnets as building blocks in all-garnet heteroepitaxial magneto-optical photonic crystals. Pulsed laser deposited La3Ga5O12, Gd3Ga5O12, Y3Fe5O12, and rf-magnetron sputtered Bi3Fe5O12 were chosen to host Er3+ ions on dodecahedral lattice sites. Er substituents with the concentration of 0.5 at. % (0.1 garnet formula units) do not decrease giant Faraday rotation in Bi2.9Er0.1Fe5O12 garnet; meanwhile providing intense room temperature C-band photoluminescence (PL). Fe3+ ion works as a sensitizer for Er resulting in fivefold PL enhancement in iron garnets compared to gallium ones. PL lifetime in gallium garnets is in millisecond range reaching almost 6 ms in Gd2.9Er0.1Ga5O12. We conclude Er substitution in gallium and iron garnet layers used both as Bragg mirrors and microcavities promises magneto-optical photonic crystals to become an active lasing medium.

Series of heteroepitaxial all-garnet magneto-optical (MO) Bi3Fe5O12n/Gd3Ga5O12m /BIG(n)/GGG(m), n= 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and m=1 and 2 are the numbers of unit cells) nanostructured multilayers have been sintered by pulsed laser deposition technique. Processing parameters and structure of grown films have been optimized to obtain perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and square hysteresis loop with low coercive and saturation magnetic fields. Regular alternating of lattice mismatched BIG and GGG atomic layers inhibited nucleation of misfit dislocations; thus a long range coherent compressive strain was preserved through the whole thickness of BIG(n)/GGG(m) multilayer stack. 2.5 mu m thick BIG(3)/GGG(2) sample (1200 BIG and 800 GGG unit cells) at lambda= 678 nm shows MO Faraday rotation Phi(F)= +/- 1.4 degrees, transmittance of 82%, attenuation alpha=3400 dB/cm, squareness of magnetization loop (remnant-to-saturation magnetizations ratio) as high as 92%, and saturation and coercive fields as low as 56 and 25 Oe, respectively. MO remanence (latching capability) enables application of nanostructured garnet as a magnetic relief replicator/visualizer and as a material for low power consuming displays.

Heteroepitaxial all-garnet magneto-optical photonic crystal (MOPC) was fabricated to enhance Faraday rotation at 980 nm. MOPC was composed of alternating MO-active Bi3Fe5O12 and transparent Sm3Ga5O12 quarter-wavelength layers grown by rf-magnetron sputtering on Ca,Mg,Zr:Gd3Ga5O12(111) single crystal substrate. High MO performance at the resonance wavelength lambda=980 nm, specific Faraday rotation theta(F)=-7.3 degrees/mu m, absorption coefficient alpha=3350 cm(-1), and MO figure of merit Q=2 parallel to theta(F)parallel to/alpha=43.6 degrees demonstrates feasibility to use bismuth iron garnet MOPCs for application in pump laser diodes, optical amplifiers, modulators, and sensors.

Photoluminescence with the bandwidth of 45 nm (1523-1568 nm at the level of 3 dB) was observed in amorphous Er2O3 films grown on quartz substrate by pulsed laser ablation of erbium oxide stoichiometric target. Optical transmission spectrum has been fitted to Swanepoel formula [J. Phys. E 16, 1214 (1983)] to determine dispersion of refractive index and to extract resonance absorption peaks at 980 and 1535 nm. The maximum gain coefficient as high as 800 dB/cm at 1535 nm was estimated using McCumber theory and experimental spectrum of the resonance absorption. For 5 mm long waveguide amplifier with erbium doping confinement factor of 0.1, the theory predicts the spectral gain of 18 dB with 1.2 dB peak-to-peak flatness in the bandwidth of 31 nm (1532-1563 nm) when 73% of Er3+ ions are excited from the ground state to the I-4(3/2) laser level. Strong broadband photoluminescence at room temperature and inherently flat spectral gain promise Er2O3 films for ultrashort high-gain optical waveguide amplifiers and integrated light circuits.

In this thesis the InSb(111), InAs(111) and GaSb(001) surfaces have been studied by means of time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy based upon the femtosecond laser system. The pump-and-probe technique allows to analyse both electron states in the valence band and normally unpopulated electron states above the valence band, which can be occupied by transiently excited carriers at the optically pumped surface. The life time of excited carriers is analysed by controlling over the time delay between pump and probe pulses. Experimental studies of the InSb(111) surface and comparison with a previously studied InSb(110) surface show electron excitations in the bulk region with a minor surface contribution. Time-resolved experiments of carrier dynamics at the polar InAs(111)A and InAs(111)B surfaces show about the same life time of excited carriers, while no populated states above the valence band maximum have been found at the InAs(111)A due to the charge removal. Surface intergap electron states have been found at the GaSb(001) surface located at ~250 meV above the valence band maximum. Angle-resolved experiments showed a strong confinement of this state at the centre of the surface Brillouin zone.

A new two dimensional angle-resolved multi-anode analyser for the femtosecond laser photoemission setup has been constructed. The analyser can resolve a cone opening angle of ~1º at a drift distance of ~0.5 m with an energy resolution of ~125 meV.

A continuous series of binary system SrTiO₃–PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃ has been grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on sapphire substrate with crystalline quality control by x-ray diffraction (XRD). The maximum tunability has been tailored to room temperature, where STO�PZT (71/29) composition shows superior performance. A PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃ thin film pressure sensor has been fabricated by PLD and characterised by XRD and electrical measurements. The piezoelectric constant was found to be ~20 % higher compared to the bulk ceramics. A ferroelectric thin film electro-optical cell Na_0.5K_0.5NbO₃/La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ (NKN/LSCO) on sapphire has been fabricated by PLD. Refractive indices and electro-optical coefficient of the cell were characterised by prism coupling refractometry. The tunability of the PLD fabricated 2 μm slot NKN thin film interdigital capacitor has been found ~23 % at 40 V bias voltage and frequency 1 MHz.

InSb-based quantum dots grown by metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) on InAs substrates are studied for use as the active material in interband photon detectors. Long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) photoluminescence is demonstrated with peak emission at 8.5 mu m and photoresponse, interpreted to originate from type-II interband transitions in a p-i-n photodiode, was measured up to 6 mu m, both at 80 K. The possibilities and benefits of operation in the LWIR range (8-12 mu m) are discussed and the results suggest that InSb-based quantum dot structures can be suitable candidates for photon detection in the LWIR regime.

We use photoelectron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy, and density functional theory to investigate coverage dependent iodine structures on Pd(110). At 0.5 ML (monolayer), a c(2 x 2) structure is formed with iodine occupying the four-fold hollow site. At increasing coverage, the iodine layer compresses into a quasi-hexagonal structure at 2/3 ML, with iodine occupying both hollow and long bridge positions. There is a substantial difference in electronic structure between these two iodine sites, with a higher electron density on the bridge bonded iodine. In addition, numerous positively charged iodine near vacancies are found along the domain walls. These different electronic structures will have an impact on the chemical properties of these iodine atoms within the layer.

The basic properties of point defects, such as local geometries, positions of charge-transfer levels, and formation energies, have been calculated using density-functional theory, both in the bulk and on the (110) surface of InP, InAs, and InSb. Based on these results we discuss the electronic properties of bulk and surface defects, defect segregation, and compensation. In comparing the relative stability of the surface and bulk defects, it is found that the native defects generally have higher formation energies in the bulk. From this it can be concluded that at equilibrium there is a considerably larger fraction of defects at the surface and under nonequilibrium conditions defects are expected to segregate to the surface, given sufficient time. In most cases the charge state of a defect changes upon segregation, altering the charge-carrier concentrations. The photothresholds are also calculated for the three semiconductors and are found to be in good agreement with experimental data.

An asymmetric defect complex originating from the cation vacancy on (110) III-V semiconductor surfaces which has significantly lower formation energy than the ideal cation vacancy is presented. The complex is formed by an anion from the top layer moving into the vacancy, leaving an anion antisite-anion vacancy defect complex. By calculating the migration barrier, it is found that any ideal cation vacancies will spontaneously transform to this defect complex at room temperature. For stoichiometric semiconductors the defect formation energy of the complex is close to that of the often-observed anion vacancy, giving thermodynamic equilibrium defect concentrations on the same order. The calculated scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) plot of the defect complex is also shown to be asymmetric in the [1(1)over bar0] direction, in contrast to the symmetric one of the anion vacancy. This might therefore explain the two distinct asymmetric and symmetric vacancy structures observed experimentally by STM.

The transient dynamics of phase-locking in serially connected nanopillar spin-torque oscillators (STOs) is studied both analytically and numerically. A variety of transient behaviors are observed stemming from the high oscillator nonlinearity and the interplay between the damping to coupling strength ratio and the phase delay of the coupling. Non-Adlerian (ringing) dynamics is found to be the main regime of synchronization where the synchronization time depends strongly on the phase delay. Somewhat nonintuitively, sufficiently strong coupling can also destabilize the system, destroying the synchronized regime even for identical STOs. This transient behavior is also found to dominate when the STOs have different frequencies. These results highlight fundamental issues that must be considered in the design of serially synchronized STOs.

Bismuth iron garnet (Bi3Fe5O12, BIG) epitaxial thin films were grown on single crystal (Gd3Ga5O12, GGG) (111) and (001) substrates by rf-magnetron sputtering technique. Processing parameters have been optimized to obtain high deposition rate (2.74 mu m/h) and the surface rms roughness less than 10 nm. X-ray diffraction reveals films epitaxial quality: exclusive (111) or (00 1) orientation with narrow rocking curves and strong in-plane texture. Films possess low optical loss and magneto-optical Faraday rotation (FR) as high as 5 deg/mu m at 677 nm wavelength. Comparative analysis of films grown on (111) and (001) substrates clearly shows significant superiority of BIG/GGG(001) film. For this film, the coercive field similar to 100 Oe appears to be 2.5 times lower while the optical transmission to be 10% higher than that for BIG/GGG(111) film. Enhanced magneto-optical performance of BIG/GGG(001) films relies upon better accommodation of the film-to-substrate mismatch strain through the tetragonal BIG lattice distortions compared to the rhombohedral one in BIG/GGG(111) films.

We suggest to modify the usual iron garnet sensor film for magneto-optical imaging by introducing a Bragg mirror consisting of heteroepitaxial garnet layers between the substrate and sensor film. For the example situation of a hexagonal vortex lattice in a type II superconductor, we show by calculation that the quality factors of image contrast and optical efficiency can be higher for the proposed heteroepitaxial garnet multilayers than for the single-layer garnet films currently in use as sensor films.

We present spectra of transmittance, reflectance, and Faraday rotation of transmitted and reflected light for a periodic garnet multilayer structure with a central defect layer. The multilayer consists of alternating layers of bismuth and yttrium iron garnet, is 1.5 mu m thick, and was prepared by pulsed laser deposition. For the reflection measurements, a silver mirror was evaporated on top of the multilayer. Faraday rotation is strongly enhanced at resonances in transmission and reflection. The peak value obtained at 748 nm in transmission is 5.3 degrees and at 733 nm in reflection is 18 degrees. A single layer BIG film of equivalent thickness shows 2.2 degrees Faraday rotation at 748 nm. We find rather good agreement between measured and calculated spectra. Using calculations of the distributions of light intensities at different wavelengths inside the multilayer, we are able to give consistent qualitative explanations for the enhancement of Faraday rotation. We also find numerically that-at moderate strengths of the optical resonances-a linear relation exists between Faraday rotation and the intensity integrated over all magneto-optically active layers, if absorption is neglected.

Lower interfaces in magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), which are the basic components in many spintronic devices such as magnetoresistive random access memories, have crucial effects on the performance of these devices. To obtain more insight into such interfaces, we have introduced an ultrathin sensor layer of Fe-57 at the interface between the lower electrode and the oxide barrier in selected MTJs. This allowed us to perform nuclear resonant scattering measurements, which provide direct information on the magnetic properties and quality of the interfaces. The application of nuclear resonant scattering to study interfaces in MTJs is a unique approach in the sense that it gives information at the atomic level, and specifically from the interface where the sensor layer is deposited. Samples with different tunnel barrier thicknesses and varied oxidation times in the preparation of this barrier have been studied. These show that oxidation can not only increase the magnetic hyperfine fields but also cause an interesting smoothing and crystallizing of the interface. Another interesting finding is the observation of boron diffusion into the lower part of the FeCoB lower electrode towards the Ta seed layer.

We present a detailed analysis of Mg 2p photoemission (PE) spectra in icosahedral ZnMgR (R=Y, Ho, Er) quasicrystals and in the crystalline Zn2Mg Laves phase. Synchrotron-radiation PE measurements were performed on in situ cleaved single-grain samples at 10(-10) mbar pressure and low, 90-150 K, temperature. The analysis of Mg 2p PE spectra in Zn2Mg reveals a surface shift of the core level of -0.12 eV. The Mg 2p PE spectra in i-ZnMgR quasicrystals are essentially broadened as compared to spectra in Zn2Mg Laves phase. The effect is due to the coordination-induced structure of the Mg 2p levels. Different local surroundings of Mg atoms in quasicrystals induce both different shifts of the Mg 2p level and splittings of its spin-orbit components. The local coordination potential at different Mg sites in the quasicrystalline lattice is calculated on the basis of the face-centered icosahedral ZnMgY atomic structure data, recently determined from the pair distribution function analysis. The coordination shifts calculated are spread within an interval of about 0.3 eV, while the splittings of the 2p(3/2) component are of the order of 1-10 meV. The simulated theoretical Mg 2p PE spectra of fci-ZnMgR quasicrystals perfectly fit the experimental data.

We present a detailed analysis of the Mg 2p shallow core-levels measured on icosahedral single-grain ZnMgY, ZnMgHo, and ZnMgEr quasicrystals during a photoelectron microscopy study. The synchrotron radiation photoemission measurements were performed on in situ cleaved samples at a pressure of 10(-10) mbar and at low temperature, typically 90-150 K. The Mg 2p photoemission lines are essentially broadened as compared to those of the Mg 2p spin-orbit doublet recorded on the Zn2Mg crystalline Laves phase. The broadening is associated to the coordination shifts of the Mg 2p level due to the inequivalent magnesium sites in the quasicrystalline lattice. The coordination shifts are calculated on the basis of i-ZnMg(Ho, Y) atomic structure data, recently determined from the pair distribution function analysis. The coordination shifts obtained are up to 0.2 eV. The Mg 2p experimental spectral intensity is nicely reproduced by a superposition of coordination-shifted Mg 2p spin-orbit doublets.

The results of photoemission spectroscopy of the simple-icosahedral single-grain ZnMgHo quasicrystals are presented. Synchrotron radiation photoemission measurements were performed on in situ cleaved samples at 10(-10) mbar pressure and low, 160 K, temperature. The valence band photoemission spectra measured reveal a simple metal type valence band with a distinct Fermi edge and a sharp pseudogap feature, which originates from the van Hove singularities in the density of states. The photoemission spectra of the Mg 2p core level show the coordination shifts of Mg 2p, spin-orbit doublet due to inequivalent Mg sites in the quasicrystalline lattice.