Dependence of magnetic anisotropy of the La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 films on substrate and film thickness

Strain in the La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ films has been tuned by varying substrate and film thickness, and its effects on magnetic anisotropy are studied based on the measurements of isothermal magnetization. Measuring the strain in the films by the out-of-plane lattice parameter (c), we found a strong dependence of the magnetic anisotropy constant (Ku) on strain. Ku decreases linearly from ∼−1.1×10⁶ erg/cm³ for c=0.763 nm to 1.2×10⁶ erg/cm³ for c=0.776 nm, corresponding to a change from tensile strain to compressive strain. Positive Ku signifies a uniaxial anisotropy with the easy axis perpendicular to the film plane, while negative Ku demonstrates an anisotropy of the easy plane character. Smaller or larger c leads a decrease or increase in Ku, which indicates the presence of other effects in addition to those associated with strain. Three distinctive processes for the magnetization are observed along the hard magnetic axis of the films on (001)SrTiO₃, suggesting a possibility of strain relaxation even in ultra-thin films.     

Magnetization reversal in Gd0.67Ca0.33MnO3: Comparison between epitaxial thin films and bulk

Rare-earth-based manganites ABO₃ may present interesting properties when the lanthanide (A-site) and/or the manganese (B-site) are partially substituted by divalent elements. Heavy lanthanides are particularly appealing because of the expected interplay between the intrinsic magnetic properties of the rare-earth element (Ln) and those of the ferromagnetic manganese sublattice. As such, a spin reorientation has been observed during magnetization-versus-temperature cycles due to a negative exchange interaction between Mn and Ln. We present herein high-quality epitaxial thin films (∼200 nm thick) of Gd_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ deposited onto (1 0 0) SrTiO₃ substrates by pulsed-laser deposition. Enhanced properties were observed in comparison with bulk samples. The magnetic transition temperature T_c of the as-grown films is much higher than the corresponding bulk values. Most interesting, magnetization measurements performed under small applied fields, exhibit magnetization reversals below T_c, no matter whether the film is field-cooled (FC) or zero-field-cooled (ZFC). The reversal mechanism is discussed in terms of a negative exchange f-d interaction and magnetic anisotropy, this latter enhanced by strain effects induced by the lattice mismatch between the film and the substrate.     

Magnetic linear dichroism studies of in situ grown NiO thin films

We report thickness dependence of magnetic linear dichroism (MLD) of in situ grown NiO(0 0 1) films on Ag(0 0 1) substrate at the Ni L₂ absorption edge. Antiferromagnetic domains at the surface of NiO(0 0 1) films are found to be preferentially aligned in-plane. For films thinner than a critical thickness _tc$t_{\mathrm{c}}$ (20–40ML), we observe a softening of the in-plane magnetic domain alignments with increasing film thickness, arising from the strain-relaxation effects. Films thicker than _tc$t_{\mathrm{c}}$ exhibits a residual in-plane anisotropy, possibly related to the finite-thickness effects.     

Magnetization reversal in bulk and thin films of the ferrimagnetic ErCo0.50Mn0.50O3 perovskite

We present herein a comparison of the magnetic properties of bulk ceramics and thin films of the ferrimagnetic ErCo_0.50Mn_0.50O₃ compound. Epitaxial thin films were deposited onto (1 0 0) SrTiO₃ substrates by pulsed-laser ablation while bulk ceramics were prepared by solid state reaction. When cooling under low applied fields, a spin reversal is observed in both thin film and bulk due to the competition between two magnetic sublattices (Co/Mn and Er) coupled by a negative exchange interaction. Original features are observed in the M(H) loops for bulk materials: abrupt jumps at 4 T due to a reorientation of domains, while in the low field region, the increasing and decreasing branches of the magnetization intersect each other. In the thin film, the ordering temperature increased from 69 to 75 K, and the ZFC anomaly (AF transition) became sharper, compared to the bulk specimen. The oxygen content and the microstructure are crucial to observe the intersection of the magnetization branches.     

Magnetic anisotropy and geometrical frustration in the Ising spin-chain system Sr5Rh4O12

A structural and thermodynamic study of the newly synthesized single crystal Sr₅Rh₄O₁₂ is reported. Sr₅Rh₄O₁₂ consists of a triangular lattice of spin chains running along the c-axis. It is antiferromagnetically ordered below 23 K with the intrachain and interchain coupling being ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM), respectively. There is strong evidence for an Ising character in the interaction and geometrical frustration that causes incomplete long-range AFM order. The isothermal magnetization exhibits two step-like transitions leading to a ferrimagnetic state at 2.4 T and a FM state at 4.8 T, respectively. Sr₅Rh₄O₁₂ is a unique frustrated spin-chain system ever found in 4d and 5d based materials without a presence of an incomplete 3d-electron shell.     

Magnetic properties of the compounds ThCO2Ge2 and ThCo2Si2

Rather old preparation of the compounds ThCo₂Ge₂ and ThCo₂Si₂ and their magnetic study in the temperature range 100–570 K, published by Omejec and Ban [Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 380 (1971) 111], indicated that both compounds ordered ferrromagnetically below 100 K. In order to verify the old data, polycrystalline samples of ThCo₂Ge₂ and ThCo₂Si₂ have been prepared by arc melting and subsequent annealing, and studied by X-ray diffraction at room temperature (RT), by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)-magnetization and AC-susceptibility measurements at 2–320 K, and by dc-magnetization measurements in variable magnetic fields up to 120 kOe at 5, 80, and 283 K. The magnetic measurements confirm the ferromagnetic ordering in both compounds, but with totally different Curie temperatures: ≈120(20) K for ThCo₂Ge₂ and above 320 K for ThCo₂Si₂. The paramagnetic values of ThCo₂Ge₂ and the ordering of both compounds are discussed and compared with the old results of Omejec and Ban.     

Out-of-plane exchange bias and magnetic anisotropy in MnPd/Co multilayers

Magnetic and structural properties in [MnPd/Co]₁₀ multilayers deposited onto Si(1 1 1) substrates have been investigated. The dependences of anisotropy and exchange bias on the thicknesses of both MnPd and Co layers have been studied. In most of the samples, the out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy and both large out-of-plane and in-plane exchange biases have been observed at cryogenic temperature below the blocking temperature T_B≈240 K. With appropriate MnPd and Co thicknesses, we have obtained samples with a large out-of-plane exchange bias along with a large out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy. The origin of the out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy in the samples has been suggested to be due to the formation of CoPd interfacial alloys which have tensile in-plane strains, while the spin structure of the antiferromagnetic layer at the interface which is believed to be responsible for exchange bias may be the same as that of the bulk material. Also, the present study shows that the interplay between the out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy and exchange bias is evident in our multilayers and plays an important role in the out-of-plane exchange-bias mechanism.     

Coexistence of positive and negative exchange bias in CrMn/Co bilayers

Exchange-biased CrMn/Co bilayers with various thicknesses of Co sputtered onto Si(1 0 0) substrates by the RF sputtering system have been studied. Double-shifted loops have been observed with the thickness of Co layer in a narrow range and become single-shifted loops after some cycles of measurement. Those results are interpreted as the association of positive and negative exchange bias.     

Magnetic properties and structure of FePt/FeMn multilayers

A systematic study of the magnetic properties by ion beam sputter-deposition system, was conducted in conjunction with the structure of FePt/FeMn multilayers fabricated onto MgO(0 0 1) substrates. Both parallel and perpendicular exchange biases were observed in the multilayers and were found to decrease drastically, as the deposition temperature is higher than 350 °C, which is evidently due to the interdiffusion at the interface. The thickness dependence study shows that the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy observed in the multilayers originates from surface anisotropy, being consistent with the decrease of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy as the deposition temperature is increased. The difference between parallel and perpendicular blocking temperatures that was clearly observed, is possibly due to the spin canting out of plane at the interface.     

The exchange bias in MnPd/Co1−xFex bilayers

A systematic study of exchange bias in MnPd/Co and MnPd/Co_1−xFe_x bilayers has been carried out. Very large unidirectional anisotropy constant of 2.2 erg/cm² and the appearance of double-shifted loops, ascribed to the coexistence of positive and negative exchange bias, have been observed. The dependence of exchange bias, unidirectional anisotropy constant and coercivity on thickness, temperature, annealing regime and Fe content has been investigated and discussed.     

Epitaxial MnP thin films: epitaxial growth,magnetic and electrical properties

We have grown 500 Å MnP on undoped GaAs(1 0 0) substrate using solid-source molecular beam epitaxy. In order to characterize the crystal structure of MnP, we performed in-situ reflection high energy electron diffraction and θ–2θ XRD X-ray diffraction studies. From the measurements of superconducting quantum interference device, Quantum Design, MnP thin film shows ferromagnetic ordering at around 291.5 K. It shows a metallic resistivity in MnP thin film.     

Magnetic study of CaMn0.96Mo0.04O3, canting vs. phase separation

CaMn_0.96Mo_0.04O₃ is an example of Mn⁴⁺ rich perovskite manganites, which exhibits a net ferromagnetic component at low temperature, observed by dc magnetization and ac susceptibility. To characterize the magnetic state of this compound, neutron powder diffraction was carried out in the 2-400 K temperature range, showing that it is necessary to use three components (ferromagnetic and G- and A-type antiferromagnetic) to describe it. This particular state is in agreement with the unusual magnetic behaviour observed by macroscopic measurements and is compared to the one observed for manganites with similar Mn valence but obtained by A-site substitution.     

Low temperature thermodynamical properties of ErCu2Si2

ErCu₂Si₂ crystallises in the tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂-type crystal structure. In this paper results of magnetometric, electrical transport, specific heat as well as neutron diffraction are reported. Results of electrical resistivity and specific heat measurements performed at low temperature yield existence of magnetic ordering roughly at 1.3 K. These results are in concert with neutron diffraction measurements, which reveal simple antiferromagnetic ordering between 0.47 and 1.00 K. At temperatures ranging from 1.00 up to 1.50 K an additional incommensurate magnetic structure was observed. The propagation vector k=(0;0;0.074) was proposed to describe magnetic reflections within the amplitude modulated magnetic structure. Basing on specific heat studies the crystal field levels splitting scheme and magnetic entropy were calculated.     

Growth and thermal stability of epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films

We have investigated the oxygen pressure and the temperature dependence on BiFeO₃ thin films deposited on SrTiO₃ substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction measurements indicate that high-quality epitaxial thin films are obtained for and T=650 °C. Outside of this pressure-temperature window, parasitic peaks attributed to β-Bi₂O₃ appear. We find an increase of the out-of-plane lattice parameter with oxygen pressure that we ascribe to Bi-deficiency due to its high volatility at low pressure. Ex-situ anneals have been performed and results show that as-grown single-phase BiFeO₃ thin films degrade after annealing, whereas as-grown BiFeO₃ containing impurity phases evolve toward a single-phase structure. These experiments demonstrate that parasitic phases can stabilize compounds which are usually unstable in air at elevated temperatures.     

Interface morphologies and magnetization characteristics of Co70Fe30 thin films deposited on conjugated polymer thin films

The surface and interface morphology and magnetization characteristics of Co₇₀Fe₃₀ thin films deposited on bare glass and p-Si/SiO₂ substrates and on conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) thin films on such substrates have been studied by atomic force microscopy and magneto-optic Kerr effect. It was found that the average absolute magnitude of the coercive field of Co₇₀Fe₃₀ correlates with the roughness of the underlayer prior to Co₇₀Fe₃₀ deposition. P3HT deposited on p-Si/SiO₂ substrates possesses an increased surface roughness as compared to the p-Si/SiO₂ surface, but displays a decreased surface roughness as compared to the one of a bare glass substrate.     

Magnetic properties of NdAu2Ge2

Physical properties of NdAu₂Ge₂, crystallising with the tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂-type crystal structure, were investigated by means of magnetic, calorimetric and electrical transport measurements as well as by neutron diffraction. The compound exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering below T_N=4.5 K with a collinear magnetic structure of the AFI-type. The neodymium magnetic moments are parallel to the c-axis and amount to 1.04(4) μ_B at 1.5 K. The observed magnetic behaviour is strongly influenced by crystalline electric field effect.     

In-Situ Alignment of MnBi Crystals Induced by High Magnetic Field above Curie Temperature

Above Curie temperature, MnBi crystals are aligned in situ along the c-axis in a Bi matrix by a high fabrication magnetic field H f of 10 T. Magnetic testing shows a pronounced anisotropy in magnetization in directions normal and parallel to the fabrication field, resulting from the alignment. The successful alignment m v result from the fact that the easy magnetization direction is along the c-axis of MnBi and the high fabrication field of 10 T is large enough to rotate the ）MnBi crystal to this direction even though the temperature is above the Curie temperature.     

Nuclear resonant time spectra for Sn in Co2TiSn Heusler alloy films

Co₂TiSn Heusler alloy films were grown on MgO substrates at the substrate temperature between 200 and 600 °C using atomically controlled alternate deposition and magnetic hyperfine field at the Sn nuclei was measured by the Mössbauer spectroscopy and the nuclear resonant scattering method. The relation between the hyperfine field and the structural disorder estimated by X-ray diffraction measurements was also examined. The results showed that the sample prepared at higher substrate temperature has higher degree of L2₁ order and larger hyperfine field. For the Co₂TiSn film grown at 600 °C, the hyperfine field estimated from the oscillatory pattern of the nuclear resonant time spectra was 6.1 T at room temperature and increased with a decrease of temperature to 7.5, 8.1, and 8.3 T at 200, 100, and 5 K, respectively, which shows that the film prepared by this method and condition has almost the same magnetization value and Curie temperature as bulk samples.     

Magneto-structural correlations in Pr0.15Gd0.85Mn2Ge2

Magneto-structural correlations in Pr_0.15Gd_0.85Mn₂Ge₂ have been studied by synchrotron diffraction in the temperature range between 11 and 300 K. This compound crystallizes in the ThCr₂Si₂-type structure (space group ). The unit cell parameters a and c were determined by Rietveld refinements as a function of temperature. Anomalies in the temperature dependence of the unit cell parameters a and c, the c/a ratio and the unit cell volume V at about 240 and 140 K, which is close to the magnetic phase transition temperatures, indicate a pronounced magneto-structural correlation. Spontaneous volume change and linear magnetostrictions are derived as a function of temperature.     

The influence of substitution of Co for Mn on magnetism of the HoMn6−xCoxSn6 compounds (0⩽x⩽0.25)

We have studied the effects of Co substitution for Mn on the structure and magnetic properties of the HoMn_6−xCo_xSn₆ compounds (0?x?0.25) with HfFe₆Ge₆-type structure (space group P6/mmm) by X-ray powder diffraction and magnetization measurements. A monotonic decrease of the lattice parameters a and c is observed with increasing Co content. While the compounds with x=0 and 0.05 exhibit ferrimagnetism in the whole temperature range, the compounds with 0.1?x?0.15 show ferrimagnetism, helimagnetism and re-entrant ferrimagnetism with decreasing temperature. For the compounds with x=0 and 0.05, the spin reorientation temperature is observed. A metamagnetic transition from helimagnetic magnetic ordering to ferrimagnetism is observed for the compounds with x=0.1 and 0.2. The results are summarized in the HoMn_6−xCo_xSn₆ magnetic phase diagram.