Magnetic skyrmions, knot-like quasiparticles, have been recently attracting attention as candidates for novel high-density non-volatile data storage designs. In order to fabricate a skyrmion-based memory, reliable nucleation, motion, annihilation, and detection of the magnetic skyrmions need to be achieved. In this study, the electrical detection of magnetic skyrmions within a nanostructured element was carried out.

Coordination complexes of magnesium borohydride show promising properties as solid electrolytes for magnesium ion batteries and warrant a thorough microscopic description of factors governing their mobility properties. Here, the dynamics of Mg(BH₄)₂-diglyme_0.5 on the atomic level are investigated by means of quasielastic neutron scattering supported by density functional theory calculations and IR and NMR spectroscopy. Employing deuterium labeling, we can unambiguously separate all the hydrogen-containing electrolyte components, which facilitate Mg²⁺ transport, and provide a detailed analytical description of their motions on the picosecond time scale ...

GdPtBi and NdPtBi belong to the Heusler family of compounds and are conventional antiferromagnets below 9 and 2.1 K, respectively. We present evidence for magnetic-field–induced Weyl physics in these compounds, namely, a chiral anomaly (negative magnetoresistance) and an anomalous Hall effect (AHE) with a large anomalous Hall angle over a wide range of temperature. The AHE and chiral anomaly have a similar temperature dependence, indicating their common origin. These studies plus band structure calculations reveal that GdPtBi and NdPtBi develop Weyl points in the presence of an external magnetic field that arises from an exchange field. Our observations open the path to the realization of the quantum AHE in antiferromagnetic Heusler thin films.

CALIPSOplus, a European Horizon2020 funded research and innovation program, provides access support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to light sources. The proposal confidentiality is kept during the whole process. If the proposal is accepted, the SME will have access to the requested light sources and the experiments will be financially supported through CALIPSOplus. If you work with companies, please point out this possibility, more information.
For industry use, SLS and SwissFEL also offer direct access through the proprietary route, as well. Read more.

At the end of October, the multiplexing spectrometer CAMEA (Continuous Angle Multiple Energy Analysis) went into hot commissioning. The completion of the instrument in 2018 was only possible thanks to the strong commitment and enthusiasm of the personnel from several groups and laboratories. The CAMEA design is optimized for detection efficiency in the horizontal scattering plane and hence is particularly suited for experiments using restrictive sample environments and small sample volumes. First successful experiments demonstrate the enormous potential of the concept for rapid and detailed mapping of excitations.
Part of the commissioning was the validation of the new front-end electronics that was designed by the Group 'Electronics for Measuring Systems' of the Laboratory for Particle Physics in particular for charged-division based gaseous detectors. The key elements of the design are plug-in based pre-amplifier and filter stages, followed by a continuous sampling, a powerful FPGA for digital signal processing and a SFP- and a QSFP-slot for data transfers with Ethernet or proprietary protocols. In the current setup for CAMEA, the sampling rate is 50 MSPS at 14-bit resolution and in this configuration, a spatial resolution of <5 mm (FWHM) along a 900 mm long Helium-3 proportional counter tube could be achieved.

For more than 30 years, the first user facility instrument LTF at SμS has provided the scientific community with excellent experimental capabilities for μSR experiments at millikelvin temperatures. The multitude of successful experiments lead to more than 400 publications in scientific journals. In October 2018, the LTF era has ended and the instrument has been decommissioned. LTF will be replaced by the new FLexible and Advanced MuSR Environment (FLAME). The first µSR pilot experiments using FLAME are expected to take place in 2020.

The first SwissFEL call for proposals took place, deadline for submission was the 15th of September. In this first call for proposals SwissFEL received overwhelming interest from the user community. A total of 47 proposals were submitted for the SwissFEL Alvra experimental station and 26 for the Bernina experimental station. The Proposal Review committee PRC took place on 18-19 October 2018. Due to the early operation phase of the facility only a reduced number of user shifts is available, resulting in SwissFEL being overbooked by a factor of 10 and an extremely strong competition for beamtime.

Copyright © 2018, Paul Scherrer Institut PSI

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PSI Facility News addresses the users of the PSI large facilities and appears quarterly in English. Any feedback is highly welcome! More information. 

Contact: PSI User Office, Phone: +41-56-310-4666, Email: useroffice@psi.ch