Magnetic Multilayers Research Articles

Surface and bulk characterization of magnetic multilayers formed within a single layer FeRh by hydrogen ion irradiation

In modern spintronics, magnetic multilayers, such as a ferromagnet/antiferromagnet (FM/AFM) heterostructure, are essential for achieving novel and practical capabilities, including the exchange bias effect, spin-transfer torque, tunneling magnetoresistance, etc. As these functions are determined by the exchange interaction or the carrier transport across the interface, it is critical to optimize the magnetic interface usually formed between different materials with the chemical mismatch as well as the structural discontinuity. Here, we explored the potential of FeRh for creating the FM/AFM multilayer within a single material by exploiting its tunability of the temperature-dependent AFM-FM transition with a hydrogen ion irradiation. We investigated bulk and surface magnetic states separately based on a magneto-optical Kerr effect and magnetization-induced second-harmonic generation, respectively, and could reveal that FeRh can host the FM (surface)/AFM (bulk) magnetic multilayer within a single layer of FeRh even at room temperature prepared with a hydrogen ion dose of 2.0×1015 H+/cm2. As the FM and AFM states are stabilized with a well-defined spatial separation as manifested by the exchange bias effect, we expect the FeRh-based FM/AFM bilayer to alleviate limitations arising from the interfaces formed by otherwise different materials.

Dissipative nonlinear dynamics of ferromagnetic bilayer

Within the framework of the classical Landau–Lifshitz equations with damping in the Landau form, the relaxation of highly excited magnetic multilayers, consisting of two ferromagnetic layers with magnetic anisotropy of the easy plane type and ferromagnetic exchange interaction between the layers, is analytically and numerically studied. It is shown that the relaxation of the energy and magnetization of the system is of a non-trivial behavior. In the region of strong excitation of the system, the time dependence of the magnetization is non-monotonic, and the smooth time dependencies of energy and magnetization are superimposed by oscillations associated with the essentially nonlinear dynamics of the magnetization vectors in the layers.

Femtosecond Laser Ablation and Delamination of Functional Magnetic Multilayers at the Nanoscale.

Laser nanostructuring of thin films with ultrashort laser pulses is widely used for nanofabrication across various fields. A crucial parameter for optimizing and understanding the processes underlying laser processing is the absorbed laser fluence, which is essential for all damage phenomena such as melting, ablation, spallation, and delamination. While threshold fluences have been extensively studied for single compound thin films, advancements in ultrafast acoustics, magneto-acoustics, and acousto-magneto-plasmonics necessitate understanding the laser nanofabrication processes for functional multilayer films. In this work, we investigated the thickness dependence of ablation and delamination thresholds in Ni/Au bilayers by varying the thickness of the Ni layer. The results were compared with experimental data on Ni thin films. Additionally, we performed femtosecond time-resolved pump-probe measurements of transient reflectivity in Ni to determine the heat penetration depth and evaluate the melting threshold. Delamination thresholds for Ni films were found to exceed the surface melting threshold suggesting the thermal mechanism in a liquid phase. Damage thresholds for Ni/Au bilayers were found to be significantly lower than those for Ni and fingerprint the non-thermal mechanism without Ni melting, which we attribute to the much weaker mechanical adhesion at the Au/glass interface. This finding suggests the potential of femtosecond laser delamination for nondestructive, energy-efficient nanostructuring, enabling the creation of high-quality acoustic resonators and other functional nanostructures for applications in nanosciences.

Photo-induced non-collinear interlayer RKKY coupling in bulk Rashba semiconductors

The interplay between light-matter, spin-orbit, and magnetic interactions allows the investigation of light-induced magnetic phenomena that are otherwise absent without irradiation. We present our analysis of light-driven effects on the interlayer exchange coupling mediated by a bulk Rashba semiconductor in a magnetic multilayer. The collinear magnetic exchange coupling mediated by the photon-dressed spin-orbit coupled electrons of BiTeI develops light-induced oscillation periods and displays new decay power laws, both of which are enhanced with an increasing light-matter coupling. For magnetic layers with non-collinear magnetization, we find a non-collinear magnetic exchange coupling uniquely generated by light-driving of the multilayer. As the non-collinear magnetic exchange coupling mediated by the photon-dressed electrons of BiTeI is unique to the irradiated system and it is enhanced with increasing light-matter coupling, this effect offers a promising platform of investigation of light-driven effects on magnetic phenomena in spin-orbit coupled systems. In this platform, light properties, such as its intensity, can serve as external knobs for inducing non-collinear couplings of the interlayer exchange and for modulating the collinear couplings. Both of these effects signify the photo-generated modification in the spin textures of spin-orbit coupled electrons in BiTeI.

Ultrafast spin transfer and its impact on the electronic structure.

Optically induced intersite spin transfer (OISTR) promises manipulation of spin systems within the ultimate time limit of laser excitation. Following its prediction, signatures of ultrafast spin transfer between oppositely aligned spin sublattices have been observed in magnetic alloys and multilayers. However, it is known neither from theory nor from experiment whether the band structure immediately follows the ultrafast change in spin polarization or whether the exchange split bands remain rigid. We show that ultrafast spin transfer occurs even in ferromagnetic gadolinium metal. Charge transfer between localized surface and extended valence-band states leads to a decrease of the surface spin polarization. This synchronously alters the exchange splitting of the bulk valence bands during laser excitation. Moreover, the onset of demagnetization can be tuned by over 200 fs by changing the temperature-dependent spin mixing. Our results show a promising route to ultrafast control of the magnetization, widening the impact and applicability of OISTR.

Ferroelectric Control of Spin‐Orbitronics

AbstractSpin‐orbit coupling refers to the relativistic interaction between the spin and orbital motions of electrons. This interaction leads to numerous intriguing phenomena, including spin‐orbit torques, spin–momentum locking, topological spin textures, etc., that have recently gained prominence in the field of spin‐orbitronics. In particular, the emerging ferroelectric control is recognized and validated as an effective means to enhance energy efficiency across a broad spectrum of spin‐orbitronic devices. Here, cutting‐edge research on ferroelectric control of spin‐orbitronics (FECSO) by means of spontaneous polarization, reversible ferroelectric switching, and multiferroic coupling, are comprehensively reviewed. Two fascinating topics are mainly discussed: topological spin texture and spin‐charge interconversion. The classification of control mechanisms for different interactions in FECSO is summarized first. Then, from the perspective of material classification, the ferroelectric‐controlled spin‐orbit coupling with tunable topological spin texture in oxide systems, magnetic metal multilayers, and 2D van der Waals materials is reviewed. Subsequently, the ferroelectric‐tunable spin‐charge interconversion on heavy metal layers, oxide interfaces, and ferroelectric Rashba semiconductors is highlighted. In the end, the challenges and forthcoming prospects of FECSO are discussed. This work may provide pertinent and forward‐thinking guidance to accelerate the ongoing advancement of this field.

Energy landscape of noncollinear exchange coupled magnetic multilayers

Energy landscape of noncollinear exchange coupled magnetic multilayers

Electrical detection of mobile skyrmions with 100% tunneling magnetoresistance in a racetrack-like device

Magnetic skyrmions are topological spin textures that are regarded as promising information carriers for next-generation spintronic memory and computing devices. For practical applications, their deterministic generation, manipulation, and efficient detection are the most critical aspects. Although the generation and manipulation of skyrmions have been extensively studied, efficient electrical detection of mobile skyrmions by using techniques that are compatible with modern magnetic memory technology, remains to be adequately addressed. Here, through integrating magnetic multilayers that host nanoscale skyrmions, together with the magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ), we demonstrate the electrical detection of skyrmions by using the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effect with a TMR ratio that reaches over 100% at room temperature. By building prototype three-terminal racetrack-like devices, we further show the electrical detection of mobile skyrmions by recording the time-dependent TMR ratios. Along with many recent developments, our results could advance the development of skyrmionic memory and logic devices.

Reconfigurable Chiral Spintronic THz Emitters

AbstractCollective spin arrangements manifest diverse spin textures, encompassing ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, and chiral vortices. However, mapping these spin textures in ultrathin magnetic multilayers has remained elusive. A reconfigurable chiral spintronic terahertz emission method is introduced through investigations on a model system of synthetic antiferromagnet and the spin information of individual ferromagnet (FM) layers is extracted. Upon femtosecond photoexcitation of the synthetic antiferromagnet (FM1/Ru/FM2), the ferromagnets generate a pair of linearly polarized ultrafast spin currents, which, after relaxation at the FM/Ru interface, emit corresponding THz pulses. The Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida interactions between the two FMs give rise to magnetic‐field‐controlled spin textures causing a spin relaxation imbalance at the interfaces and induce a phase shift between the orthogonal components of the emitted terahertz fields, consequently reconfiguring the polarization of the emitted terahertz field from linear to circular. This approach offers a novel means of investigating electronic and magnetic states in ultrathin spintronic heterostructures, low‐dimensional quantum materials, topological insulators, and Weyl semimetals. Furthermore, it enables the exploration of spin textures, including skyrmions, merons, and solitons.

Engineering Plateau Phase Transition in Quantum Anomalous Hall Multilayers.

The plateau phase transition in quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) insulators corresponds to a quantum state wherein a single magnetic domain gives way to multiple domains and then reconverges back to a single magnetic domain. The layer structure of the sample provides an external knob for adjusting the Chern number C of the QAH insulators. Here, we employ molecular beam epitaxy to grow magnetic topological insulator multilayers and realize the magnetic field-driven plateau phase transition between two QAH states with odd Chern number change ΔC. We find that critical exponents extracted for the plateau phase transitions with ΔC = 1 and ΔC = 3 in QAH insulators are nearly identical. We construct a four-layer Chalker-Coddington network model to understand the consistent critical exponents for the plateau phase transitions with ΔC = 1 and ΔC = 3. This work will motivate further investigations into the critical behaviors of plateau phase transitions with different ΔC in QAH insulators.

Theoretical characterization of the magnetoresistance in magnetic multilayers with antiferromagnetic coupling

Spin-valves (SVs) constitute a significant class of magnetic metal structures with a large range of technological applications. This class of structure offers interesting magnetic properties due to their alternation with the non-magnetic layers. The SVs fortunately have good magnetic properties at room temperature (RT). This study intends to use Boltzmann Approach–BA, to treat the magetotransport properties of Co-based SV. Outer-surface scattering effects on magnetoresistance (MR) performance encountered in these structures are investigated by varying the interfacial chemical composition. Analysis of the results reveals the existence of a significant improvement of magnetic phenomenon for a scattering that is more and more specular of the conduction electrons through outer-surface. A giant MR (GMR) of amplitude 136.9 % is obtained for an interfacial geometric roughness of magnitude 2 Å. The GMR ratio is the result of large asymmetry in the spin-dependent interfacial scattering and a completely specular outer-surface scattering.

Comparative analysis of computer-aided imaging collaboration: MRI versus CT for detection of knee joint injuries in athletes

ObjectiveThis study aims to compare the diagnostic efficacy of collaborative computer-aided (CAD) imaging diagnosis techniques in detecting knee joint injuries among athletes. The focus is on analyzing the differences in diagnostic performance between Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Multilayer Spiral Computed Tomography (MSCT). The objective is to assess the performance of these two imaging modalities in diagnosing knee joint injuries. MethodsA total of 242 suspected knee joint injury patients were enrolled in the study. The patients underwent MRI and MSCT examinations using a self-developed Knee Joint Injury CAD system for auxiliary diagnosis. The Knee Joint Injury CAD system, employing the Monte Carlo and Markov chain algorithms, was utilized to analyze MRI and CT images, assisting physicians in fracture diagnosis. False-positive annotations were removed through discussions and consultations among physicians to obtain independent detection results. Arthroscopy was utilized as the gold standard. The diagnostic results for MRI and CT assisted by the CAD software were recorded, and metrics such as diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy were calculated. Furthermore, the accuracy of diagnosing bone and ligament injuries was analyzed. ResultsThe MRI diagnostic sensitivity of the collaborative Knee Joint Injury CAD system was 94.75%, with a specificity of 97.42% and an accuracy of 96.01%. In contrast, the diagnostic sensitivity of the collaborative Knee Joint Injury CAD system for MSCT was 89.36%, with a specificity of 85.71% and an accuracy of 89.86%. A comparison between the two detection methods reveals that MRI outperforms CT in terms of imaging quality but requires a longer examination time. The average imaging quality score for MRI was 6.89 ± 0.27, with an average examination time of 28.71 ± 7.64 minutes. On the other hand, the average imaging quality score for CT was 6.71 ± 0.42, with an average examination time of 9.95 ± 2.42 min. ConclusionIn diagnosing knee joint injuries, the collaborative Knee Joint Injury CAD system with MRI assistance in computer-aided medical diagnosis demonstrates higher diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy compared to the collaborative Knee Joint Injury CAD system with MSCT. Therefore, the clinical application of a collaborative Knee Joint Injury CAD system with MRI exhibits superior diagnostic performance in knee joint injuries, especially in detecting ligament and soft tissue injuries. However, it is worth noting that a collaborative Knee Joint Injury CAD system with MRI has a higher imaging quality score and longer examination time. The trade-off between these factors needs to be considered in clinical practice, and the choice of imaging technology should be based on specific circumstances.

Size and stability of skyrmion bags in ultrathin magnetic nanodots

Size and stability of magnetic skyrmion bags in a cylindrical ultrathin nanodot under the influence of an applied magnetic field are investigated. Micromagnetic calculations reveal unique characteristics in the behavior of skyrmion bags across various materials. By adjusting the magnetic parameters of the materials, the stability of skyrmion bags can be significantly enhanced. We believe that our results will provide valuable insights for the experimental development of magnetic multilayers tailored for devices based on skyrmion bags.

Low-noise inverse magnetoelectric magnetic field sensor

In the development of any type of magnetic field sensor based on magnetic films, special consideration must be given to the magnetic layer component. The presented work investigates the use of scalable flux closing magnetostrictive multilayers for inverse magnetoelectric sensors. In such a type of magnetic field sensor, highly sensitive AC and DC field detection relies on strong excitation of the incorporated magnetic layers by piezoelectrically driven cantilever oscillation at mechanical resonances. The provoked periodic flux change is influenced by the magnetic field to be measured and is picked up by a coil, which generates the measured output. The multilayered inverse magnetoelectric sensor is investigated with regard to linearity, noise behavior, and detection limit of DC and AC signals. A significant advancement for inverse magnetoelectric thin film sensors is demonstrated in this study. Using exchange bias stabilized magnetic multilayers with flux closure structures, detection limits are improved by an order of magnitude to less than 8 pT/Hz1/2 at 10 Hz and 18 pT/Hz1/2 at DC.

Quantifying Spin‐Charge Conversion Mechanisms for THz Emission in Magnetic Multilayers

AbstractUltrafast control of both electric and spin currents triggered by femtosecond laser pulse has attracted much attention due to future applications for broadband THz emitter as well as high‐speed spintronic devices. Optically generated spin current is converted to charge current via multiple spin‐charge conversion mechanisms, generating THz wave emission in magnetic multilayers. However, to date, quantitative and comparative investigation of THz emission originating from spin‐charge conversion mechanisms has not yet been fully explored. Here, direct and straightforward nondestructive probing to measure THz emission is provided at original Co/Pt and Co/Ta interfaces embedded in Pt/Co/Ta multilayers with polarization analysis of both optical pump and THz emission. These results allow a fundamental understanding of various spin‐charge conversion phenomena, which is a key basis for future spintronic THz source development.

Electrical-Controllable Antiferromagnet-Based Tunnel Junction.

An electrical-controllable antiferromagnet tunnel junction is a key goal in spintronics, holding immense promise for ultradense and ultrastable antiferromagnetic memory with high processing speed for modern information technology. Here, we have advanced toward this goal by achieving an electrical-controllable antiferromagnet-based tunnel junction of Pt/Co/Pt/Co/IrMn/MgO/Pt. The exchange coupling between antiferromagnetic IrMn and Co/Pt perpendicular magnetic multilayers results in the formation of an interfacial exchange bias and exchange spring in IrMn. Encoding information states "0" and "1" is realized through the exchange spring in IrMn, which can be electrically written by spin-orbit torque switching with high cyclability and electrically read by antiferromagnetic tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance. Combining spin-orbit torque switching of both exchange spring and exchange bias, a 16 Boolean logic operation is successfully demonstrated. With both memory and logic functionalities integrated into our electrically controllable antiferromagnetic-based tunnel junction, we chart the course toward high-performance antiferromagnetic logic-in-memory.

Magnetocaloric effect at the reorientation of the magnetization in ferromagnetic multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy

We investigate the magnetocaloric effect obtained by the rotation of a magnetic field applied to an exchange-coupled multilayer system composed of two different ferromagnetic (FM) materials. We specifically consider a system in which the two FMs have perpendicular uniaxial anisotropy axes and utilize conditions which yield a reorientation of the total magnetization when compensation between the anisotropies of the two layers occurs. We calculate the consequent entropy change associated with the “artificial” reorientation. By using known parameters from MnBi and Co we predict an entropy change of Δs=0.34 J kg−1 K−1 for perfect coupling. Lastly, we study the behavior of the multilayer under a rotating magnetic field via a micromagnetic model. When the layer thicknesses are of the order of the local domain wall width, the magnetic field-induced entropy change can be obtained with magnetic fields one order of magnitude lower than in the uncoupled case.

Effect of metal insertion on the magnetic properties and anomalous Hall effect in MgO/CoFeB/Ta/MgO films

CoFeB-based nano-magnetic multilayers can be applied in magnetic sensors, magnetic random access memory and other logic devices, which have attracted wide attention. The magnetic properties and interface structure of the magnetic multilayers still need further research for future applications. The effects of Pt insertion on the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) of MgO/CoFeB/Pt/Ta/MgO multilayers were studied. It is found that the sample with 0.2 nm Pt insertion at the CoFeB/Ta interface and annealed at 250 °C can transform the films from in-plane magnetic anisotropy to PMA. The effective magnetic anisotropy K eff can reach 1.82 × 106 erg cm−3. The Pt insertion and annealing heat treatment can promote the migration of oxygen from MgO at the top layer to CoFeB/Ta interface and combine with Fe to generate iron oxide, and improve the orbital hybridization of Fe 3d and O 2p, thus successfully inducing the PMA of the film samples. In addition, Pt insertion and annealing treatment can improve the side-jump mechanism and the skew scattering mechanism which contribute to the AHE. This work provides guidance for the application of PMA materials in magnetic sensor and memory devices.

Estimation of the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction in all-metallic multilayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

The interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (iDMI) interaction which arises at the interface between a heavy metal (HM) and a ferromagnet (FM) can stabilize chiral Néel type domain walls in ultrathin perpendicularly magnetized multilayers. Dissimilar HMs are required on both bottom and top sides of the FM layer in order to introduce the structural inversion asymmetry which ensures an effective iDMI in the FM layer. HMs like Pt, Ir, Ta etc are very well known for developing large iDMI in the interface with Co, whereas noble metals like Au can produce negligible iDMI. Therefore, a multilayer Pt/Co/Au is chosen to determine the individual iDMI in the Pt/Co interface. Some procedures like field-induced domain wall motion study, spin–orbit torque efficiency estimation study are well established to quantify the effective field due to the iDMI ( HDMI ) which in turn gives the strength of the iDMI ( Deff ). Besides these procedures, a current-induced switching of magnetization was studied to construct a switching phase diagram where the critical current density of magnetization switching has been plotted as a function of the applied in-plane magnetic field. The experimentally constructed diagram and the simulated diagram using a micromagnetic study have revealed the possibility to quantify HDMI . Thus, a systematic and unified estimation of Deff has been done on all-metallic Ta/Pt/Co/Au multilayers.

Stable skyrmions in Co/Ni-based nanopillars with perpendicular magnetization anisotropy

Micromagnetic simulations have been conducted to explore the formation rules of stable skyrmions in Co/Ni-based perpendicular magnetization anisotropy nanopillars with Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya Interaction (DMI). The results show that an appropriate perpendicular magnetic field can generate a robust Néel-type skyrmion magnetic configuration in the free layer with a 5° tilted easy axis. The creation and stability of skyrmion states also depends on the strength of the DMI and the size of nano-disk. Furthermore, we observed intriguing behavior in the case of the free layer with a perfectly perpendicular easy axis. Skyrmion states appeared in two distinct regions of perpendicular magnetic field when both perpendicular and in-plane magnetic fields were applied. This discontinuity arises from the nucleation of initial Bloch-type skyrmions. These results contribute to comprehending the formation mechanism of stable skyrmions in perpendicular magnetic anisotropy multilayers and may promote the development of skyrmion-based nanodevices.