Spin-orbit torque can drive electrical switching of magnetic layers. Here, we report that, at least for micrometer-sized samples, there is no simple correlation between the efficiency of dampinglike spin-orbit torque (ζDLj) and the critical switching current density of perpendicularly magnetized spin-current generator-ferromagnet heterostructures.

We discuss physical constructions and the boundary properties of various symmetry-protected topological phases that involve 1-form symmetries from one spatial dimension to four spatial dimensions (4d). For example, the prototype three-dimensional (3d) boundary state of 4d SPT states involving 1-form symmetries can be either a gapless photon phase (quantum electrodynamics) or gapped topological order enriched by 1-form symmetries; that is, the loop excitations of these topological orders carry nontrivial 1-form symmetry charges.

Barrier crossing calculations in chemical reaction-rate theory typically assume that the barrier is large compared to the temperature. When the barrier vanishes, however, there is a qualitative change in behavior. Instead of crossing a barrier, particles slide down a sloping potential. We formulate a renormalization group description of this noisy saddle-node transition. We derive the universal scaling behavior and corrections to scaling for the mean escape time in overdamped systems with arbitrary barrier height.

One dimensional (1d) interacting systems with local Hamiltonians can be studied with various well-developed analytical methods. Recently novel 1d physics was found numerically in systems with either spatially nonlocal interactions, or at the 1d boundary of 2d quantum critical points, and the critical fluctuation in the bulk also yields effective nonlocal interactions at the boundary. This work studies the edge states at the 1d boundary of 2d strongly interacting symmetry protected topological (SPT) states, when the bulk is driven to a disorder-order phase transition.

Semiconductors have long been perceived as a prerequisite for solid-state transistors. Although switching principles for nanometer-scale devices have emerged based on the deployment of two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals heterostructures, tunneling and ballistic currents through short channels are difficult to control, and semiconducting channel materials remain indispensable for practical switching. In this study, we report a semiconductor-less solid-state electronic device that exhibits an industry-applicable switching of the ballistic current.

The integration of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) layers on nanostructures has attracted growing attention as a means to improve the physical properties of the ultrathin TMDC materials. In this work, the influence of SiO2nanopillars (NPs) with a height of 50 nm on the optical characteristics of MoS2layers is investigated. Using a metal organic chemical vapor deposition technique, a few layers of MoS2were conformally grown on the NP-patterned SiO2/Si substrates without notable strain.

Actinide materials exhibit strong spin–lattice coupling and electronic correlations, and are predicted to host new emerging ground states. One example is piezomagnetism and magneto-elastic memory effect in the antiferromagnetic Mott-Hubbard insulator uranium dioxide, though its microscopic nature is under debate. Here, we report X-ray diffraction studies of oriented uranium dioxide crystals under strong pulsed magnetic fields. In the antiferromagnetic state a [888] Bragg diffraction peak follows the bulk magnetostriction that expands under magnetic fields.

Pressure is a fundamental thermodynamic parameter controlling the behavior of biological macromolecules. Pressure affects protein denaturation, kinetic parameters of enzymes, ligand binding, membrane permeability, ion transduction, expression of genetic information, viral infectivity, protein association and aggregation, and chemical processes. In many cases pressure alters the molecular shape. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is a primary method to determine the shape and size of macromolecules.

In RuCl3, inelastic neutron scattering and Raman spectroscopy reveal a continuum of non-spin-wave excitations that persists to high temperature, suggesting the presence of a spin liquid state on a honeycomb lattice. In the context of the Kitaev model, finite magnetic fields introduce interactions between the elementary excitations, and thus the effects of high magnetic fields that are comparable to the spin-exchange energy scale must be explored.

Sr2RuO4 has stood as the leading candidate for a spin-triplet superconductor for 26 years1. However, recent NMR experiments have cast doubt on this candidacy2,3 and it is difficult to find a theory of superconductivity that is consistent with all experiments. The order parameter symmetry for this material therefore remains an open question. Symmetry-based experiments are needed that can rule out broad classes of possible superconducting order parameters.