Spin-wave spectra across transitions between uniform and textured phases can offer deep insight into both symmetry-breaking physics and self-assembled magnonic bands. However, experiments require a material platform that combines low damping, well-defined textures, and spectroscopic access. Here, we study a Bi-doped iron-garnet film with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), which undergoes a uniform-to-stripe-domain transition as a function of in-plane magnetic field. Real-space imaging by magnetic force microscopy reveals field-reorientable stripe domains aligned with the in-plane field, while reciprocal-space measurements using thermal microfocused Brillouin light scattering (μ-BLS) reveal the softening of a low-frequency spin-wave branch near the transition and the appearance of additional modes in the stripe-domain state. Calculated dispersion relations identify finite-k softening in the Damon-Eshbach geometry (k ⊥ M), with the corresponding wavelength matching the stripe periodicity at the transition. In addition, a μ-BLS spectral model reproduces the measured mode frequencies and relative intensities at selected fixed fields. Micromagnetic simulations capture the field-driven formation of the stripe state and reproduce the experimental thermal μ-BLS spectra. Our findings establish BiYIG with PMA as a model low-damping platform for studying spin-wave freezing, stripe-domain modes, and reconfigurable magnonic band structures.

Heterogeneous integration of Erbium doped yttria-stabilized-zirconia superlattice on SiN is presented for light amplification. First, a material study was performed to optimize emission at telecom wavelength followed by integration study.

We have achieved the growth of high-quality, homoepitaxial 100 GaAs thin films at 0.5 mbar and 500 degrees C using a Remote Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (RPCVD) reactor. With this process, we demonstrate a film growth rate up to 3 mu m/h, comparable to the conventional MOCVD technique. The resulting films exhibit structural characteristics close to those of commercial GaAs wafers, with excellent crystalline quality as confirmed by SAED patterns and XRD rocking-curve measurements for the 004 peak with a FWHM of 0.004 degrees. AFM measurements reveal a surface roughness of 0.2 nm, similar to that of a polished wafer. Analysis of the chemical composition - as determined through XPS surface and depth-profiled measurements - indicates that the film is homogeneous, with a constant III/V ratio of 1 throughout the whole layer, and has no detectable carbon or oxygen contamination. Additionally, the films demonstrate a sharp photoluminescence peak (FWHM of 55 meV), a p-type doping concentration of 1.1018 cm(-3), and a hole mobility of 172 cm(2) V-1 .s(-1). This work thus demonstrates a cost-effective growth method for III-V devices, enabled by the reduced gas consumption (only a few sccm, compared to tens of L/min in MOCVD) in RP-CVD operation at low pressure.

Understanding fault activity over time provides valuable insights for reconstructing the tectonic history of an orogen, assessing seismological risks and understanding mineralization processes. In the Western Alps, one of the main controversies in existing tectonic models is the understanding of syn-orogenic extension. Seismological evidence shows widespread extensional deformation related to the reactivation of major lithospheric structures, such as the Penninic Frontal Thrust (PFT). However, the onset age and origin of extension are still debated due to the lack of suitable geochronological data. Fault hematite and calcite geochronology as well as clumped isotope data can be used to relate fluid regimes to fault activity. The analysis of calcite brecciae from extensional faults above the PFT shows that two distinct fluid regimes were present. The first regime, occurring before 2 Ma is associated with upwelling of deep fluids and is recorded by fault calcite at a temperature > 110 degrees C. The second fluid regime is characterized by a meteoric signature and temperatures around 36 degrees C, representing crystallization since 2 Ma. This study presents a new model for the Miocene tectonic history of the Western Alps that combines (U-Th)/He and U-Pb geochronology on fault hematite (13.3 +/- 0.8 to < 0.8 Ma) and calcite (5.3 +/- 0.6 Ma). Results demonstrate a progression of extensional fault activity from east to west, from the Middle Miocene (ca. 13 Ma) to the Quaternary. The onset of extension in the inner part of the belt coincides with the development of the fold and thrust belt in the western Alpine foreland. Our new model proposes that extension occurs in the hanging wall of a large top-to-the-west thrust, known as the Alpine Frontal Thrust. This thrust, located to the west of the External Crystalline Massifs gives rise to their uplifting and extension at the rear. (c) 2024 China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and Peking University. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of China University of Geosciences (Beijing). This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

The alteration of ferroan brucite, a common by-product of serpentinization, has been proposed as a H2 source at low temperature. Here, synthetic ferroan brucite with Fe/(Fe+Mg) = 0.2 was reacted with pure water at temperatures ranging from 348 to 573 K in 29 experiments either conducted in gold capsules or Ti-based reactors. H2 production monitoring with time and characterization of the reaction products revealed the occurrence of the following reaction: 3 Fe(OH)2brucite = Fe3O4 + H2 + 2 H2O. This reaction proceeds completely in ~ 2 months at 378 K and is thermally activated. The small grain size of the synthetic brucite (40-100 nm) is similar to observations in natural samples, and is probably responsible for the high reaction rate measured. H2 production reached a plateau and Fe-bearing brucite also precipitated as a reaction product, suggesting the achievement of equilibrium. The thermodynamic properties of Fe(OH)2 were refined based on the experimental dataset and differ by less than 5 % from previous estimates. However, ferroan brucite is predicted to be stable at an hydrogen activity one order of magnitude lower than previously calculated. As a result, significant H2 production during ferroan brucite alteration at low temperature requires efficient fluid renewal. Such a mechanism strongly differs from olivine serpentinization which can occur even at high activity in H2 and thus with limited water renewal.

In this study, the removal of benzotriazole (BTA), a pervasive aquatic contaminant widely used for its anti-corrosion, UV-stabilizing, and antioxidant properties, by nanomagnetite, biochar, and nanomagnetite–biochar composite is investigated. Nanomagnetite and nanomagnetite–biochar composite were synthesized under anoxic conditions and tested for BTA removal efficiency at neutral pH under both oxic and anoxic conditions at different time scales. Within the short time scale (up to 8 h), the removal of BTA by nanomagnetite–biochar composite was shown to be due to BTA deprotonation by the nanomagnetite surface. Through proton liberation, Fe²⁺ is released in accordance with the reaction Fe₃O₄ + 2H⁺ → Fe₂O₃ + Fe²⁺ + H₂O, which likely influences BTA complexation and its possible redox degradation. On the longer time scale, biochar achieved higher removal efficiency: 50% BTA removed within 48 h, due to formation of a ternary complex with surface Ca2+ ions, or 75% BTA removed after HCl biochar acid wash followed by Ca2+ surface saturation. As BTA presents significant environmental risks due to its extensive industrial applications, the present study offers critical insights into the mechanisms of BTA removal by nanomagnetite–biochar composite, and highlights the potential of such materials for water treatment applications.

Here, we exploit the Ferroelectric properties in Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2) thin films for electro-optic (Pockels) modulation. ZrO2 was deposited using pulsed laser deposition technique and its integration in the integrated silicon photonic platform was studied.

A promising superparamagnetic nanomagnetite dipped with Gd was synthesized for possible medical applications. Its size and morphology are independent of Gd content ranging from 1 to 5%. Gadolinium (III) replaced Fe(III) in the lattice. The sizes of Gd-doped nanoparticles ranged from 5 to 50 nm and exhibited a pure magnetite mineralogical phase.

Global warming leads to drastic glaciers shrinkage worldwide, hence affecting the global water balance. Small mountain glaciers are the most widespread types of glaciers but have received less attention compared to larger ones, despite their importance for the regional hydrological cycle. To better understand the forcing underlying their dynamics, we investigated the glacial activity in the Hengduan Mountains in the SE Tibetan Plateau over the last 2000 years by analysing sediments from the Yunzhu proglacial lake. Five sediment cores were retrieved and dated using short-lived radionuclides, 14C, and analyses of Earth's magnetic field palaeosecular variations. A multiproxy analysis was performed on sediment cores, including geochemical, sedimentological, and hyperspectral analyses. As the sediment was relatively homogeneous and poor in organic material, geochemical ratios and pigment analysis were used to track the evolution of terrigenous inputs and lake photosynthetic activity. Sedimentation is dominated by clastic inputs, which are traced by K flux, while the authigenic components are traced by chlorophyll pigments. During the Little Ice Age (LIA), anoxic conditions prevailed at the bottom of the lake, leading to the preservation of millimetric laminae in the sediment and a bloom of purple sulphur bacteria, visible through abundant bacteriochlorophyll a pigment. We attribute this to persisting ice cover preventing water column mixing over most of the year. During cold periods such as the LIA or the Dark Ages, the relative amount of terrigenous inputs increased at the expense of lake bioproductivity. We interpret the observed erosion increases during cold periods as the consequence of glacial activity, consistent with other sparse glacial records available on the Tibetan Plateau. We show that glacial extent was mainly controlled by temperature in the past two millennia rather than by precipitation, yielding potential widespread melting in the next decades as well as more irregular water supply downstream.

The emergent secondary phases and surface altered layer (SAL) during the aqueous corrosion of borosilicate glass have a great impact on its chemical durability. However, the formation and evolution of these structures are still unclear. Here, by studying the borosilicate glass altered at 90 °C in pore water, the water in pore space between glass powders, the formation of secondary phases could follow two ways: 1. the consumption of aqueous ions forms analcime, zeolite, calcium silicate and barite at the surface of glass; 2. the reorganization of silica aggregates leads to smectite within the SAL. Small-angle X-ray scattering and cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy results show that the release of soluble elements and the formation of smectite within the SAL significantly increase the porosity of SAL. Furthermore, the layer containing smectite reorganizes inwardly and the crystallinity of smectite is gradually increased over time. The observations of transmission electron microscopy reveal that the dissolution of glass potentially goes through an interface-coupled dissolution-reprecipitation process.

Abstract The crystal structure and ferroelectric properties of epitaxial ZrO2 films ranging from 7 to 42 nm thickness grown on La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 buffered (110)‐oriented SrTiO3 substrate are reported. By employing X‐ray diffraction, a tetragonal phase (t‐phase) at all investigated thicknesses, with slight in‐plane strain due to the substrate in the thinnest films, is confirmed. Further confirmation of the t‐phase is obtained through infrared absorption spectroscopy with synchrotron light, performed on ZrO2 membrane transferred onto a high resistive silicon substrate. Up to a thickness of 31 nm, the ZrO2 epitaxial films exhibit ferroelectric behavior, at variance with the antiferroelectric behavior reported previously for the t‐phase in polycrystalline films. However, the ferroelectricity is found here to diminish with increasing film thickness, with a polarization of 13 µC cm−2 and down to 1 µC cm−2 for 7 and 31 nm thick ZrO2 films, respectively. Given that the t‐phase is nonpolar, the observations emphasize the influence of external factors, in promoting polarization in t‐ZrO2 thin films. These findings provide new insights into the ferroelectric properties and structure of ZrO2 thin films, and open up new directions to investigate the origin of ferroelectricity in ZrO2 and to optimize this material for future applications.

Ferroan brucite, (Mg,Fe)(OH)2, is a common mineral product of serpentinization reactions. The alteration of ferroan brucite under subsurface conditions is expected to form magnetite and hydrogen (H2). Ferroan brucite, (Mg0.8Fe0.2)(OH)2, with a grain size of 20-100 nm, was synthesized by precipitation of iron salts in the presence of NaOH under sub-anoxic conditions. Both composition and grain size of the synthetic product are similar to those of ferroan brucite found in serpentinized peridotites collected during the Oman Drilling Project. Synthetic ferroan brucite was then reacted in aqueous solutions at 378 and 403 K during 1 to 36 days either in PTFE-lined reactors or in gold capsules placed in externally heated pressure vessels. In gold capsules, ferroan brucite barely reacted and minor magnetite and H2 were produced. In PTFE-lined reactors, reaction progress over 75% could be achieved with reaction products composed of magnetite, pyroaurite [Mg6Fe2(OH)16(CO3)center dot 4.5H2O1, and a new phase, identified as ferrian brucite [(Mg0.8FeIII0.2)O0.2(OH)1.81 based on the Rietveld refinement of its X-ray powder diffraction data, FeIII/Fetot colorimetric determination and thermogravimetric analysis. Ferrian brucite is isostructural to ferroan brucite and displays the same iron/magnesium ratio. However, all iron is trivalent. X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric data support deprotonation as the mechanism responsible for charge compensating FeII oxidation (Fe2+ + OH-=Fe3+ + O2-). The difference in reaction products obtained with the two types of reactors is attributed to the higher permeability to H2 (and/or O2) of the PTFE-lined reactors compared to gold capsules. Ferroan brucite conversion into ferrian brucite was unexpectedly fast and proceeded in a few days. The thermodynamic stability of ferrian brucite is discussed as a function of oxygen fugacity and pH.

Abstract Allanite is a major host of rare earth elements (REEs) in the continental crust. In this study, reaction mechanisms behind allanite alteration are investigated through batch experiment runs on natural allanite grains in carbonate-bearing hydrothermal fluids at 200°C, with initial acidic (pH = 4) or alkaline (pH = 8) conditions and with different aqueous ligands (120 mmol kg −1 of F, Cl, P or S). Time-series experiment runs in F-doped systems at different durations between 15 and 180 days reached a steady state at 120 days. The pH efficiently controls the allanite alteration process, with initial high pH, alkaline conditions being more reactive (75% alteration compared with 25% under acidic conditions). The ligand also significantly influences the alteration process under initial acidic conditions with the P-doped system (70%) almost non-reactive for the Cl- and S-doped systems (<5%). In the alteration rim, REEs are mainly redistributed in REE-bearing phases either as carbonates (F-doped) or phosphates (P-doped). The relatively flat REE-normalized patterns of the recovered experimental fluids suggest a fractionation of light rare earth elements (LREEs) over heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) during the course of the alteration reactions. It is proposed that secondary REE mineral precipitation at the reaction front creates a local disequilibrium in the solution and a steep chemical gradient promoting allanite dissolution and thus its alterability.

In Peru, energy production is more than 75 % dominated by hydrocarbons (IEA, 2018) while at the same time, the Andes forearc is in a full demographic and economic development. However, the geothermal potential associated with reverse fault in the mountain range forearcs remains poorly studied compared to normal faults. It is then essential to evaluate the geothermal potential associated with the Andes forearc thrust faults, in considering the environmental risks associated.The hydrothermal system associated with the Sama-Calientes fault, near the city of Tacna South of Peru (18°S) is a suitable field site to experiment how integrated studies could provide an exploration diagnostic. The Calientes hot springs (42-44°C) emerge on the Sama-Calientes fault, an active thrust which delimits the border between the Andes and the north extension of the Atacama Desert. With an integrated study of the hydrothermal fluids and gas geochemistry, XRD composition of the hydrothermal deposits and veins, structural geology, and 3D numerical modeling with COMSOL Multiphysics, we propose to characterize the thermal anomaly associated with the Calientes springs and faults, putting them in perspective with the other hydrothermal springs in the region. Preliminary results indicated that hydraulic breccia, veins, and concretions around the Calientes springs and faults are mainly composed of calcite, contrarily to the other hot springs sites inside the Andes (excepted the Ticaco hot springs). Free and dissolved gas of the springs associated with the high Andean volcanoes (Casiri, Yucamani, Tacora) are mainly composed of CO2 (90-100%), while those associated with the pre-andean faults (Sama-Calientes, Incapuquio) are mainly composed of N2 (60-100%). Volcanic-associated springs show high sulfate concentrations (48-54 mmol/L) compared to fault-associated springs (3-25 mmol/L). A simple 3D numerical model with a surface DEM and a homogenous permeability indicates that the topography-driven flow lines contributing to the Calientes springs would come from the Tacora volcano, 40 km north-east of Calientes. More investigation will precise the organization of the hydrothermal cells and the associated thermal anomalies. This work will also contribute to understand the role of hydrothermal fluids in subduction zones and especially on seismogenic reverse fault dynamics.

In this study, various chemical treatments were performed on clay-rich media to investigate their effects on hydrogen adsorption performance. We unequivocally demonstrated that acid-treated samples exhibited significant structural changes compared with those treated with alkali solutions. Gas adsorption isotherms and powder X-ray diffraction analyses clearly revealed that the acid treatment of clayey materials not only increased their surface area, but also enhanced hydrogen sorption uptake, increased interstratification, and reduced particle size. Most importantly, we succeeded in rationalizing the improvement in hydrogen uptake by sequentially applying purification, followed by acid treatment.

We report on the crystal structure and ferroelectric properties of epitaxial ZrO$_2$ films ranging from 7 to 42 nm thickness grown on La$_{0.67}$Sr$_{0.33}$MnO$_3$-buffered (110)-oriented SrTiO$_3$ substrate. By employing X-ray diffraction, we confirm a tetragonal phase at all investigated thicknesses, with slight in-plane strain due to the substrate in the thinnest films. Further confirmation of the tetragonal phase was obtained through Infrared absorption spectroscopy with synchrotron light, performed on ZrO$_2$ membrane transferred onto a high resistive Silicon substrate. Up to a thickness of 31 nm, the ZrO$_2$ epitaxial films exhibit ferroelectric behavior, at variance with the antiferroelectric behavior reported previously for the tetragonal phase in polycrystalline films. However, the ferroelectricity is found here to diminish with increasing film thickness, with a polarization of about 13 $\mu$C.cm$^{-2}$ and down to 1 $\mu$C.cm$^{-2}$ for 7 nm and 31 nm-thick ZrO$_2$ films, respectively. This highlights the role of thickness reduction, substrate strain, and surface effects in promoting polarization in the tetragonal ZrO$_2$ thin films. These findings provide new insights into the ferroelectric properties and structure of ZrO$_2$ thin films, and open up new directions to investigate the origin of ferroelectricity in ZrO$_2$ and to optimize this material for future applications.

Traces of DNA found in sediments are shifting paradigms in the analysis of past and present ecosystems. DNA is an unstable polymer and conditions at which the millennial stabilization is achieved are unclear. Confinement of DNA in nanopores of clay minerals is a promising route for this long-term stabilization and storage. Using smectites with various layer charges, we measured adsorption capacity for DNA using UV spectroscopy and intercalation capacity using X-ray diffraction. We found that while the smectite adsorption capacity is large, the DNA intercalation, i.e. nanoconfinement, decreases as smectite charge increases. We show that low-charge smectites intercalate DNA at concentrations relevant to aqueous environments even at neutral pH but the nanoconfinement is minimal or absent in high-charge smectites. Different intercalation behaviour in NaCl and CaCl2 solutions imply different mechanisms driven by electrostatic forces. Our results demonstrate that DNA nanoconfinement in smectites is likely an important strategy for DNA preservation and that protocols targeting low-charge smectites might improve the success of ancient and modern DNA extraction even in hot and humid climates so far deemed unfavourable for DNA preservation.

ABSTRACTIn the French north‐western Alps, several lakes of glacial origin, such as Aiguebelette and La Thuile, present some mass‐transport deposits within their sedimentary sequences. These event layers can result from lake sediment destabilization eventually triggered by earthquakes. On Lake Aiguebelette, based on sedimentological, geochemical and magnetic analyses, and high‐resolution seismic and bathymetric surveys a ca 1 m thick event layer was identified in the deepest lake basin and a synchronous ca 2 cm thick deposit in the shallow basin. Age‐depth models based on radiocarbon ages reveal that both mass‐transport deposits in Lake Aiguebelette occurred around the Younger Dryas – Early Holocene climatic transition (i.e. 11 700 cal bp) time range. In Lake La Thuile, located 30 km away, unique mass‐transport deposits (translational slide type) were recorded at the same time range in sedimentary records. Additionally, high‐resolution seismic profiles previously acquired in Lake Annecy and Lake Bourget support the hypothesis of significant mass‐transport deposits occurring at the Younger Dryas – Early Holocene time range. These outcomes on four north‐western peri‐Alpine and Alpine lakes highlight the regional occurrence of mass‐transport deposits in the Younger Dryas – Early Holocene time range. Seismic and rockfall events are discussed as potential sources of these significant and similarly aged mass‐transport deposits. Based on this study and a literature review, the authors suggest that mechanisms induced by rapid climate change and glacial retreat, such as crustal rebound and erosional unloading, could favour the triggering of earthquakes and rockfall events. In the case of mass‐transport deposits archived in north‐western Alpine lakes during this time period, this study favours the hypothesis of increased seismicity as the primary source driving process involved.