Relative-thickness dependence of exchange bias in bilayers and trilayers

We consider the models of ferromagnetic (FM)/antiferromagnetic (AFM) bilayers and trilayers and perform a modified Monte Carlo method to study their exchange bias (EB) properties at low temperature after field cooling on increasing one component thickness at the expense of the other one. The results indicate that EB is insensitive to the thickness variations as the FM layer is thicker than the AFM one. Otherwise, it has a steep increase with the decrease of FM thickness, but the purely inverse proportion is no longer valid due to the dual influences of FM and AFM thicknesses. EB in trilayers should be approximately twice larger than that in bilayers because there is a double interfacial area in the trilayers compared with the bilayers, but the dispersed FM/AFM distributions may break this relation as a result of thermal destabilization. Moreover, EB is independent of FM/AFM stacking sequences probably because of the ideal interface between them. It has been clarified unambiguously that such control of EB through varying the FM/AFM dimensions in heterostructures is attractive for spintronics applications.     

Exchange-coupling-induced fourfold magnetic anisotropy in CoFeB/FeRh bilayer grown on SrTiO3(001)

Exchange coupling across the interface between a ferromagnetic (FM) layer and an antiferromagnetic (AFM) or another FM layer may induce a unidirectional magnetic anisotropy and/or a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, which has been extensively studied due to the important application in magnetic materials and devices. In this work, we observed a fourfold magnetic anisotropy in amorphous CoFeB layer when exchange coupling to an adjacent FeRh layer which is epitaxially grown on an SrTiO₃(001) substrate. As the temperature rises from 300 K to 400 K, FeRh film undergoes a phase transition from AFM to FM phase, the induced fourfold magnetic anisotropy in the CoFeB layer switches the orientation from the FeRh$\langle 110\rangle $ to FeRh$\langle 100\rangle $ directions and the strength is obviously reduced. In addition, the effective magnetic damping as well as the two-magnon scattering of the CoFeB/FeRh bilayer also remarkably increase with the occurrence of magnetic phase transition of FeRh. No exchange bias is observed in the bilayer even when FeRh is in the nominal AFM state, which is probably because the residual FM FeRh moments located at the interface can well separate the exchange coupling between the below pinned FeRh moments and the CoFeB moments.     

Exchange bias in ferromagnet/antiferromagnet bilayers

Since the exchange bias （EB） effect was discovered in the Co/CoO core-shell nanoparticles, it has been extensively studied in various ferromagnet （FM）/antiferromagnet （AFM） bilayers due to its crucial role in spintronics devices. In this article, we review the investigation of the EB in our research group. First, we outline basic features of the EB, including the effects of the constituent layer thickness, the microstructure and magnetization of the FM layers, and we also discuss asymmetric magnetization reversal process in wedged-FM/AFM bilayers. Secondly, we discuss the mechanisms of the positive EB and the perpendicular EB. Thirdly, we demonstrate the hysteretic behavior of the angular dependence of the EB and analyze the EB training effect. Finally, we discuss the roles of the rotatable anisotropy in the two phenomena.     

The hysteresis loops of FM/AFM two-layer Bethe lattice

The distinct hysteresis loops (HLs) of ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic (FM/AFM) two-layer Bethe lattice with the Ising spins of the top layer having only FM interactions and the bottom ones having only AFM interactions with the interlayer coupling is either FM or AFM type are studied by using a pairwise approach. The sublattice magnetizations are studied by increasing and decreasing the external magnetic field (H) to obtain the HLs. The shapes of the HLs are strongly dependent on the competitions among the system parameters and on the phase configurations. The HLs are formed only when the AFM-type interactions are involved. The small loops of hysteresis are also formed because of the reentrant behavior in the FM region.     

Competition between ferromagnetic and anti-ferromagnetic couplings in Co doped ZnO with vacancies and Ga co-dopants

Spin-polarized first-principles electronic structure and total energy calculations have been performed to better understand the magnetic properties of Co doped ZnO (ZnO:Co) with vacancies and Ga co-dopants. The paramagnetic state of ZnO:Co, in which Co ions lose their magnetic moments, has been found to be unstable. The total energy results show that acceptor-like Zn vacancies and donor-like Ga co-dopants render the anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic (FM) states to be more favorable, respectively. With O vacancies, ZnO:Co has been found to be in the weak FM state. These magnetic properties can be understood by the calculated O- and Zn-vacancies and Ga co-dopant induced changes of the electronic structure, which suggest that AFM and FM Co-Co couplings are mediated by O 2p-Co majority (↑)-spin 3d hybridized states in the valence band of ZnO and O-vacancy-derived p states or Ga sp states in the ZnO band gap, respectively. For ZnO:Co with Zn vacancies (Ga co-dopants) the AFM (FM) coupling outweighs the FM (AFM) coupling and results in the AFM (FM) state, while for ZnO:Co with O vacancies, both the FM and AFM couplings are enhanced by similar degrees and result in the weak FM state. This study reveals a competition between FM and AFM couplings in ZnO:Co with vacancies and Ga co-dopants, the detailed balancing between which determines the magnetic properties of these materials.     

Dynamic magnetic behavior of the mixed spin （2, 5/2） Ising system with antiferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic interactions on a bilayer square lattice

Using the mean-field theory and Glauber-type stochastic dynamics, we study the dynamic magnetic properties of the mixed spin （2, 5/2） Ising system for the antiferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic （AFM/AFM） interactions on the bilayer square lattice under a time varying （sinusoidal） magnetic field. The time dependence of average magnetizations and the thermal variation of the dynamic magnetizations are examined to calculate the dynamic phase diagrams. The dynamic phase diagrams are presented in the reduced temperature and magnetic field amplitude plane and the effects of interlayer coupling interaction on the critical behavior of the system are investigated. We also investigate the influence of the frequency and find that the system displays richer dynamic critical behavior for higher values of frequency than that of the lower values of it. We perform a comparison with the ferromagnetic/ferromagnetic （FM/FM） and AFM/FM interactions in order to see the effects of AFM/AFM interaction and observe that the system displays richer and more interesting dynamic critical behaviors for the AFM/AFM interaction than those for the FM/FM and AFM/FM interactions.     

Coupling Stacking Orders with Interlayer Magnetism in Bilayer H-VSe_2

Stacking-dependent magnetism in van der Waals materials has caught intense interests.Based on the first principle calculations,we investigate the coupling between stacking orders and interlayer magnetic orders in bilayer H-VSe_2.It is found that there are two stable stacking orders in bilayer H-VSe_2,named AB-stacking and A'B-stacking.Under standard DFT framework,the A'B-stacking prefers the interlayer AFM order and is semiconductive,whereas the AB-stacking prefers the FM order and is metallic.However,under the DFT+U framework both the stacking orders prefer the interlayer AFM order and are semiconductive.By detailedly analyzing this difference,we find that the interlayer magnetism originates from the competition between antiferromagnetic interlayer super-superexchange and ferromagnetic interlayer double exchange,in which both the interlayer Se-4p_z orbitals play a crucial role.In the DFT+U calculations,the double exchange is suppressed due to the opened bandgap,such that the interlayer magnetic orders are decoupled with the stacking orders.Based on this competition mechanism,we propose that a moderate hole doping can significantly enhance the interlayer double exchange,and can be used to switch the interlayer magnetic orders in bilayer VSe_2.This method is also applicable to a wide range of semiconductive van der Waals magnets.     

Tailor-made nano-structured materials for perpendicular recording media and head—precise control of direct/indirect exchange coupling

Tailor-made nano-structured spin materials obtained by precisely controlled nano-scale fabrication technologies for use in ultra-high density hard disk drives (HDDs), as well as an understanding of their nanomagnetics, are essential from the view point of materials, processes, and physics. Artificial control of the exchange coupling among ferromagnetic layers through the RKKY interaction (indirect) and direct exchange coupling represented as the exchange bias at the ferromagnetic (FM)/antiferromagnetic (AFM) interface are of great interest and have received significant attention to induce new modulated spin structures in conventional simple FM materials. In particular, soft magnetic under layer (SUL) with strong synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) coupling between two adjacent soft magnetic layers, exchange coupled stacked media introducing exchange coupling between FM layers and giant exchange anisotropy at the FM/AFM interface have attracted significant attention from the view point of applications. Within the framework of the present paper, we discuss future technical trends for SUL, granular media and the spin-valve head from the viewpoint of direct and/or indirect exchange coupling based on our recent results.     

Hydrogen induced changes of the interlayer coupling in Fe(3)/V(x) superlattices (x=11–16)

The effect of hydrogen on the magnetic exchange coupling between iron layers through vanadium spacer layers has been studied with magneto-optical Kerr effect experiments in Fe₍₃₎/V_(x) superlattices. Here x refers to the number of V monolayers varying from 11 to 16 and the Fe layer thickness is fixed at three monolayers. Without hydrogen the superlattice is antiferromagnetic (AFM) for x between 12 and 14 and ferromagnetic (FM) in all other cases. With hydrogen loading the coupling can be switched from AFM to FM and vice versa. As previously observed with neutron reflectivity measurements (Hjörvarsson et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 79 (1997) 901) the change of the interlayer coupling upon hydrogen uptake is not simply due to the expansion of the non-magnetic vanadium spacer layer but more likely to the distortion of the Fermi surface. Bilinear and biquadratic exchange couplings can be recognized by the magnetic hysteresis loops and their coupling energies have been extracted by fits to the curves. For all samples the easy axis of the magnetization is in the plane without any preferred in-plane direction. Hydrogen loading does not affect the magnetic anisotropy of these samples.     

Influences of Crystal-Field and Interlayer Coupling Interactions on Dynamic Phase Diagrams of a Mixed-Spin(3/2,2) Bilayer System

Influences of crystal-fields(D_A and D_B) and interlayer coupling interactions(J_3) on dynamic magnetic critical behaviors of a mixed-spin(3/2, 2) bilayer system under an oscillating magnetic field are investigated by the Glauber-type stochastic dynamics based on the mean-field theory. For this purpose, dynamic phase diagrams are constructed in the reduced temperature and magnetic field amplitude plane for the ferromagnetic/ferromagnetic(FM/FM),antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic(AFM/FM) and AFM/AFM interactions in detail. We observe that the influences of D_A, D_B and J_3 interactions parameters on the behavior of the dynamic phase diagrams are very much.     

Depth magnetization profile of a perpendicular exchange coupled system by soft-x-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity

The magnetic profile across the interface of a perpendicular exchange coupled [NiO/CoO]3/Pt-Co/Pt(111) system is investigated. The magneto-optic Kerr effect reveals a strong coupling between the antiferromagnetic (AFM) oxide and the ferromagnetic (FM) Pt-Co layer, by an increasing coercivity and a rotation of the easy magnetization axis of the FM layer along the AFM spins. Soft x-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity is used to probe the spatial distribution of the out-of-plane magnetization inside the oxide above its ordering temperature. It extends over 1 nm and exhibits a change of sign.     

Asymmetric magnetization reversal behavior and noncollinear anisotropies in exchange-bias system

The effect of noncollinearity between unidirectional and uniaxial anisotropies on asymmetric magnetization reversal of ferromagnet/antiferromagnet (FM/AFM) bilayer has been investigated. The results show the emergence of noncollinear anisotropies comes from the competition among applied magnetic field, magnetic anisotropy and exchange coupling in FM/AFM interface. The noncollinearity can lead to the asymmetry of hysteresis loop of FM/AFM bilayer. However, when the magnetic field is applied along the uniaxial anisotropy axis of FM layer, the hysteresis loop of FM/AFM bilayer is always symmetry independence of the noncollinear angle. Our results indicate that the asymmetry not only originates from the noncollinearity but also depends on the applied magnetic field orientation. Moreover, the asymmetry of hysteresis loop is always along with the appearance of unequivalence for magnetization reversal of FM/AFM bilayer, and there is a periodicity of π with orientation of applied field for its periodicity independence of the angle of the noncollinearity between the uniaxial and unidirectional anisotropies. The results can help us to open additional avenues to tailor the future advance magnetic device.     

Effects of Cu dilution in IrMn on the exchange bias of CoFe/IrMn bilayers

The effect of nonmagnetic dilution in metallic antiferromagnets (AFMs) on the exchange bias (EB) has been investigated from a structural, magnetic, and Monte Carlo simulation point of view in bilayers of CoFe/(IrMn)1-xCux. Dilution by Cu atoms throughout the volume of the AFM IrMn gives rise to an enhanced EB field (HEB) for 5 K相似文献   

The spin-1 Ising model on a two-layer Bethe lattice with FM/AFM interactions

Two-layer Bethe lattice with the Ising spins of the top layer having only ferromagnetic (FM) interactions and the bottom layer having only antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions are allowed to interact with the interlayer interaction of either FM or AFM type. The model is studied by using the exact recursion relations in a pairwise approach for given coordination numbers q=3, 4 and 6 with equal external magnetic fields acting on the layers. The phase diagrams of the model are obtained on different planes for given system parameters by studying the ground state (GS) phase diagrams and the thermal variations of the order-parameters and the response functions, i.e. the susceptibility and the specific heat, in detail. The model presents second- and first-order phase transitions, and where their lines are combined is the tricritical point. The critical end points also exist. The reentrant behavior is also seen when the model presents two Néel temperatures.     

铁磁/反铁磁双层膜系统中的交换偏置及矫顽场的温度特性

提出了一个讨论铁磁／反铁磁双层膜中的交换偏置及矫顽场温度特性的物理模型，该模型，假设铁磁层为具有单畴各向异性的单畴膜而反铁磁层由许多相互独立具有多晶各向异性的颗粒组成，其温度依赖性主要来源于系统态的热不稳定，包括反铁磁颗粒易轴取向的热涨落和相关磁学量的温度依赖性等。计算结果表明其交换偏置随温度的增加非线性地减少而其矫顽场在体阻截温度处达极大值，且其体阻截温度随反铁磁颗粒粒径的增加而增加。我们的计算结果和相关实验结果一致，通过本的讨论，我们建议通过铁磁膜耦合上大粒径硬反铁磁颗粒膜可获得高交换偏置、低矫顽场且近独立于温度的相关磁学器件。     

Modeling of exchange bias in the antiferromagnetic (core)/ferromagnetic (shell) nanoparticles with specialized shapes

Zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) hysteresis loops of egg- and ellipsoid-shaped nanoparticles with inverted ferromagnetic (FM)-antiferromagnetic (AFM) core-shell morphologies are simulated using a modified Monte Carlo method, which takes into account both the thermal fluctuations and energy barriers during the rotation of spin. Pronounced exchange bias (EB) fields and reduced coercivities are obtained in the FC hysteresis loops. The analysis of the microscopic spin configurations allows us to conclude that the magnetization reversal occurs by means of the nucleation process during both the ZFC and FC hysteresis branches. The nucleation takes place in the form of “sparks” resulting from the energy competition and the morphology of the nanoparticle. The appearance of EB in the FC hysteresis loops is only dependent on that the movements of “sparks” driven by magnetic field at both branches of hysteresis loops are not along the same axis, which is independent of the strength of AFM anisotropy. The tilt of “spark” movement with respect to the symmetric axis implies the existence of additional unidirectional anisotropy at the AFM/FM interfaces as a consequence of the surplus magnetization in the AFM core, which is the commonly accepted origin of EB. Our simulations allow us to clarify the microscopic mechanisms of the observed EB behavior, not accessible in experiments.     

铁磁/反铁磁双层膜系统中的磁畴动力学行为

比较了铁磁单层膜与铁磁/反铁磁双层膜结构中的磁畴演化行为, 发现由于反铁磁层膜对铁磁层膜的耦合作用使得系统的磁畴壁厚度、 磁畴壁等效质量、磁畴壁移动速度等发生了改变, 系统的矫顽场增强, 并出现了交换偏置场. 文章具体研究了反铁磁层耦合作用下其磁畴壁厚度、 等效质量以及磁畴壁移动速度等与反铁磁层的净磁化、 磁各向异性、界面耦合强度以及温度等的关系; 并研究了其对铁磁/反铁磁双层膜中的交换偏置场、矫顽场的影响. 进而 从磁畴结构的形成及其演化上揭示了铁磁/反铁磁双 层膜中出现交换偏置以及矫顽场增加的物理机制.     

外应力场下铁磁/反铁磁双层膜系统中的自旋波

采用自由能极小的方法研究了铁磁/反铁磁双层膜系统在外应力场下的一致进动自旋波性质，即铁磁共振现象. 本模型中铁磁层很薄可看成单畴结构，但具有单轴磁晶各向异性和立方磁晶各向异性；而反铁磁层仅具有单轴磁晶各向异性，但其厚度趋于半无穷. 推导出了该系统的铁磁共振频率和频谱宽度的解析式. 结果表明，外应力场和界面交换耦合或反铁磁磁强度仅在弱磁场下对系统的铁磁共振有影响，且系统的铁磁共振行为按磁场强度可分为两支，其区分弱磁场和强磁场的临界场依赖于外应力场的方向. 另一方面，应力场方向的改变可借助于反铁磁层磁畴变化对铁磁层磁晶各向异性轴有影响. 关键词： 铁磁/反铁磁双层膜 界面耦合强度 铁磁共振 应力场     

Computational quantum magnetism: Role of noncollinear magnetism

We are witnessing today a golden age of innovation with novel magnetic materials and with discoveries important for both basic science and device applications. Computation and simulation have played a key role in the dramatic advances of the past and those we are witnessing today. A goal-driving computational science—simulations of every-increasing complexity of more and more realistic models has been brought into greater focus with greater computing power to run sophisticated and powerful software codes like our highly precise full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW) method. Indeed, significant progress has been achieved from advanced first-principles FLAPW calculations for the predictions of surface/interface magnetism. One recently resolved challenging issue is the role of noncollinear magnetism (NCM) that arises not only through the SOC, but also from the breaking of symmetry at surfaces and interfaces. For this, we will further review some specific advances we are witnessing today, including complex magnetic phenomena from noncollinear magnetism with no shape approximation for the magnetization (perpendicular MCA in transition-metal overlayers and superlattices; unidirectional anisotropy and exchange bias in FM and AFM bilayers; constricted domain walls important in quantum spin interfaces; and curling magnetic nano-scale dots as new candidates for non-volatile memory applications) and most recently providing new predictions and understanding of magnetism in novel materials such as magnetic semiconductors and multi-ferroic systems.     

Interfacial roughness and temperature effects on exchange bias properties in coupled ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic bilayers

Monte Carlo simulations have been used to study the relationship between the exchange bias properties and the interface roughness in coupled ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic (FM/AFM) films of classical Heisenberg spins. It is shown that the variation of the exchange bias field versus the AFM anisotropy strongly depends on the FM/AFM interface. Unlike the flat interface, a non-monotonic dependence is observed for the roughest FM/AFM interface. This is explained by canted magnetic configurations at the FM/AFM interface, which appear after the first reversal due to the magnetic frustration. The temperature dependence of the exchange field is also dependent on the roughness. While the exchange field is roughly constant for the flat interface, a decrease is observed for the roughest interface as the temperature increases. This has been interpreted as a significant decrease of the effective coupling between the FM and the AFM due to the disordering of the moments at the FM/AFM interface because of the combination of magnetic frustration and temperature activation.