Ni spin switching induced by magnetic frustration in FeMn/Ni/Cu(001) (open access)

Ni spin switching induced by magnetic frustration in FeMn/Ni/Cu(001)

Epitaxially grown FeMn/Ni/Cu(001) films are investigated by Photoemission Electron Microscopy and Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect. We find that as the FeMn overlayer changes from paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic state, it could switch the ferromagnetic Ni spin direction from out-of-plane to in-plane direction of the film. This phenomenon reveals a new mechanism of creating magnetic anisotropy and is attributed to the out-of-plane spin frustration at the FeMn-Ni interface.
Date: March 8, 2009
Creator: Wu, J.; Choi, J.; Scholl, A.; Doran, A.; Arenholz, E.; Hwang, Chanyong et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library