Antiferromagnet-induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in ferromagnetic Co/Fe films with strong in-plane magnetic anisotropy

Abstract

Ferromagnetic (FM) films with higher magnetic moment density typically exhibit sizable in-plane magnetic anisotropy as a result of strong dipolar interactions, which hinder their application in state-of-the-art perpendicularly based magnetic devices. This study reports the effects of triggering the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) of a Co/Fe film with strong in-plane magnetic anisotropy through nearby antiferromagnetic (AFM) fcc ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{50}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{50}$ and face-centered tetragonal (e-fct) Mn films. Our results demonstrate that fcc ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{50}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{50}$ films with a three-dimensional quadratic AFM spin structure can trigger robust PMA in a Co/Fe film through collinearlike AFM-FM exchange coupling at room temperature. Furthermore, by incorporating a monolayered ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{50}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{50}$ film into the Mn-Co interface or by reducing the temperature, PMA can also be triggered in a Co/Fe film by using e-fct Mn films with an in-plane-oriented AFM spin structure at room or low temperature through noncollinear exchange coupling across the AFM-FM interface. Our results clarify the exchange-coupling mechanisms, characteristic behaviors, and critical conditions for increasing control over antiferromagnet-induced PMA in FM films with high magnetic moment density but strong in-plane magnetic anisotropy, which is helpful for the development of next-generation perpendicularly based spintronic devices.