Electric Sensation at the Final Focus Test Beam

A. Theoretical prediction of the changing magnetization of a metal film when influenced only by a magnetic field. B. Theoretical prediction when influenced by both a magnetic and an electric field. C. Actual data showing influence from a magnetic and electric field. (Images courtesy of the research team.)

by Calla Cofield

Five SLAC scientists and their collaborators have started a new chapter in the field of electromagnetism with research that could change the way your computer stores data. Their results, which appear on the front cover of the May 29 issue of Physical Review Letters, demonstrate for the first time a way to change a magnet's polarity using an electric rather than magnetic field.

Most computer hard drives store data using magnetic fields generated by small coils. The current flowing through the coil generates a magnetic field that flips the orientation of a series of magnets back and forth. These coils are generally bulky and the current produces a lot of heat, so scientists have theorized that your computer could apply an electric field to write data instead.

"You would have the potential for a mechanism which can switch magnets a lot faster and with a lot less heat loss," explained Sara Gamble, a Stanford graduate student and co-author on the paper. But scientists have been unable to make an electric field affect a magnet's polarity the way a magnetic field does. Now, Gamble and her fellow researchers have changed that, and opened the door for a new technology. Read more...

Office 2007 Workshops Today

by Jean-Raymond Pierre

As part of the Office 2007 transition process, computing services is offering, free to all SLAC employees, a 90-minute course discussing the new features of Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007. The presenter is a Microsoft certified trainer and will offer this course three times: at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. today in Kavli Auditorium. There will be time at the end of the presentation for questions and answers.

Seating is first-come, first-served. For more details, please see the full announcement.

Recycling Tip of the Week:
Mixed Paper

by Micki DeCamara

The following materials may be deposited in the green recycling containers labeled "mixed paper":

Books (hard back, soft back, telephone books)
White and colored paper (SLAC no longer segregates these)
Newspaper and junk mail (minor cellophane on envelope windows and semi-gloss advertisements OK)
Paper bags
Paperboard (cereal box, manila folders, cardboard spools, etc.)
Shredded paper (stringy cut) is recyclable, but paper from crosscut shredders (looks like confetti) has no recycle value. Please bag crosscut shredded materials before depositing it to the trash.
Carbon-less carbon paper is recyclable
Plastic bags, bubble wrap, plastic sheeting (See the June 4 recycling tip.)

Blueprint and coated plotter papers must be disposed of in the trash; a recycling option is not available at this time. If you can identify that a plotter paper is not coated (check with paper manufacturer) it can be recycled. Other paper that is waxed or plasticized, also must be disposed of in trash.

Paper contaminated with food and oils, such as napkins, pizza boxes, doughnut boxes are not acceptable for recycling in the mixed paper bins. Please direct questions on SLAC's recycling program to Micki DeCamara (x2348).

Events

Today (4:00 p.m.) LCLS-PULSE Seminar: First Principles Dynamics of Ultrafast Chemistry
Jun 15 (8:30 a.m.) Ultrafast X-ray Summer School Begins

Access (see all)

No Access Notices Today

Announcements
(see all | submit)

Lab Announcements

Community Bulletin Board

Training

Lab Training (calendar | register)

Today (9:00 a.m.) Cryogenic and Oxygen Deficiency Safety
Today (9:00, 11:00 or 1:30) Office Enterprise 2007 Workshops

Upcoming Workshops & Classes

News (submit)

DOE Office of Science Update: Director, Senatorial Support, Appropriations Schedule, State Spending AIP Bulletin
Astronomers Take Step in Measuring Universe's Expansion Space.com
To Fix This Engine, You'll Need a Quantum Mechanic ScienceNOW
Tunable Graphene Bandgap Opens The Way To Nanoelectronics And Nanophotonics Science Daily

<% Response.AddHeader "Last-modified", getArticleDate() 'Response.AddHeader "Last-modified","Mon, 01 Sep 1997 01:03:33 GMT" 'Monday, December 06, 2010 %>

View online at http://today.slac.stanford.edu/.

Electric Sensation at the Final Focus Test Beam A. Theoretical prediction of the changing magnetization of a metal film when influenced only by a magnetic field. B. Theoretical prediction when influenced by both a magnetic and an electric field. C. Actual data showing influence from a magnetic and electric field. (Images courtesy of the research team.) by Calla Cofield Five SLAC scientists and their collaborators have started a new chapter in the field of electromagnetism with research that could change the way your computer stores data. Their results, which appear on the front cover of the May 29 issue of Physical Review Letters, demonstrate for the first time a way to change a magnet's polarity using an electric rather than magnetic field. Most computer hard drives store data using magnetic fields generated by small coils. The current flowing through the coil generates a magnetic field that flips the orientation of a series of magnets back and forth. These coils are generally bulky and the current produces a lot of heat, so scientists have theorized that your computer could apply an electric field to write data instead. "You would have the potential for a mechanism which can switch magnets a lot faster and with a lot less heat loss," explained Sara Gamble, a Stanford graduate student and co-author on the paper. But scientists have been unable to make an electric field affect a magnet's polarity the way a magnetic field does. Now, Gamble and her fellow researchers have changed that, and opened the door for a new technology. Read more... Office 2007 Workshops Today by Jean-Raymond Pierre As part of the Office 2007 transition process, computing services is offering, free to all SLAC employees, a 90-minute course discussing the new features of Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007. The presenter is a Microsoft certified trainer and will offer this course three times: at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. today in Kavli Auditorium. There will be time at the end of the presentation for questions and answers. Seating is first-come, first-served. For more details, please see the full announcement. Recycling Tip of the Week: Mixed Paper by Micki DeCamara The following materials may be deposited in the green recycling containers labeled "mixed paper": Books (hard back, soft back, telephone books) White and colored paper (SLAC no longer segregates these) Newspaper and junk mail (minor cellophane on envelope windows and semi-gloss advertisements OK) Paper bags Paperboard (cereal box, manila folders, cardboard spools, etc.) Shredded paper (stringy cut) is recyclable, but paper from crosscut shredders (looks like confetti) has no recycle value. Please bag crosscut shredded materials before depositing it to the trash. Carbon-less carbon paper is recyclable Plastic bags, bubble wrap, plastic sheeting (See the June 4 recycling tip.) Blueprint and coated plotter papers must be disposed of in the trash; a recycling option is not available at this time. If you can identify that a plotter paper is not coated (check with paper manufacturer) it can be recycled. Other paper that is waxed or plasticized, also must be disposed of in trash. Paper contaminated with food and oils, such as napkins, pizza boxes, doughnut boxes are not acceptable for recycling in the mixed paper bins. Please direct questions on SLAC's recycling program to Micki DeCamara (x2348).	Events Today (4:00 p.m.) LCLS-PULSE Seminar: First Principles Dynamics of Ultrafast Chemistry Jun 15 (8:30 a.m.) Ultrafast X-ray Summer School Begins Access (see all) No Access Notices Today Announcements (see all \| submit) Lab Announcements SLAC Town Hall Meetings on Retirement Investment Changes Placing a Blanket Order Release Reminder: Cyber Security Basics Course Due Jul 2 Community Bulletin Board Juneteenth T-shirts Available Summer HIP Registration Training Lab Training (calendar \| register) Today (9:00 a.m.) Cryogenic and Oxygen Deficiency Safety Today (9:00, 11:00 or 1:30) Office Enterprise 2007 Workshops Upcoming Workshops & Classes MS Office 2007 Classes Finance Overview June 16 Certificate in Supervision: Safe and Sound Work Environment June 18 News (submit) DOE Office of Science Update: Director, Senatorial Support, Appropriations Schedule, State Spending AIP Bulletin Astronomers Take Step in Measuring Universe's Expansion Space.com To Fix This Engine, You'll Need a Quantum Mechanic ScienceNOW Tunable Graphene Bandgap Opens The Way To Nanoelectronics And Nanophotonics Science Daily
	Flea Market Linear Café Menu Employee Milestones Search the Archives Subscribe non-SLAC e-mail Send Us Your Feedback

<% Response.AddHeader "Last-modified", getArticleDate() 'Response.AddHeader "Last-modified","Mon, 01 Sep 1997 01:03:33 GMT" 'Monday, December 06, 2010 %> View online at http://today.slac.stanford.edu/.


	Thursday - June 11, 2009