Abstract
Different cubic Co-based Heusler alloys — Co2FeAl (CFA), Co2FeSi (CFS), Co2MnAl (CMA), and Co2MnSi (CMS) — were grown epitaxially on tetragonal Heusler-like D022–MnGa at different annealing temperatures (Ta) in the form of Heusler (20nm)/MnGa (30nm) bilayers. The CMA/MnGa bilayer showed the largest critical temperature (450∘C), indicating good structural stability against interdiffusion. The experimental results showed an easier interdiffusion of the Fe and Si elements than of Mn and Al. An inverted hysteresis loop was observed in a polar magneto-optical Kerr effect (P-MOKE) measurement for the CFS/MnGa, CMA/MnGa, and CMS/MnGa bilayers. This is one piece of evidence for the existence of the antiferromagnetic (AFM) interfacial exchange coupling (Jex). We evaluated Jex for the Heusler/MnGa bilayers annealed at different temperatures. Jex changed from ferromagnetic (FM) to AFM after annealing at 300∘C for the CFA/MnGa bilayer. Other bilayers showed only AFM coupling. The strongest Jex value of approximately −3.2 erg/cm2 was obtained for the CMS/MnGa bilayer annealed at 400∘C. It was found that the tendency of the Mn and Si elements to make AFM Jex in the Heusler/MnGa bilayers interfaces is larger than that of Fe and Al.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
