Ferromagnetic phase of the spinel compound MgV2O4 and its spintronics properties

Abstract

Spinel compound, MgV$_2$O$_4$, known as a highly frustrated magnet has been extensively studied both experimentally and theoretically for its exotic quantum magnetic states. However, due to its intrinsic insulating nature in its antiferromagnetic (AFM) ground state, its realistic applications in spintronics are quite limited. Here, based on first-principles calculations, we examine the ferromagnetic (FM) phase of MgV$_2$O$_4$, which was found to host three-dimensional flat band (FB) right near the Fermi level, consequently yielding a large anomalous Hall effect (AHE, $\sigma \approx 670\,\Omega^{-1}\cdot cm^{-1}$). Our calculations suggest that the half-metallicity feature of MgV$_2$O$_4$ is preserved even after interfacing with MgO due to the excellent lattice matching, which could be a promising spin filtering material for spintronics applications. Lastly, we explore experimental feasibility of stabilizing this FM phase through strain and doping engineering. Our study suggests that experimentally accessible amount of hole doping might induce a AFM-FM phase transition.