Magnetic Compensation Point Research Articles

Exploring Fast Domain Wall Motion and DMI Realization in Compensated Ferrimagnetic Nanowires

Abstract Recent advancements in spintronics have spurred interest in current-induced domain wall motion (CIDWM) as a promising avenue for next-generation memory technologies. While previous research has predominantly focused on thin ferromagnetic films, recent attention has shifted towards ferrimagnetic materials due to their potential for magnetization compensation and efficient domain wall (DW) motion. In this study, we investigated the dynamics of DWs in compensated ferrimagnetic Pt/GdxFe1-x nanowires through experimental characterization and analysis. Our results reveal fast DW motion around the magnetic compensation point, indicating the influence of spin-orbit torque induced by current flow. We systematically explore the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) field across different compositions of GdFe, observing elevated DMI field values near the compensation compositions. Additionally, we examine the impact of wire width and pulse duration on DW velocity, demonstrating higher velocities in narrower wires and shorter pulse durations. In the 1 μm wire, a DW velocity of around 3200 m/s was achieved by applying a 3 ns short pulse current. Our findings elucidate the intricate interplay between film composition, magnetic properties, wire width, pulse duration, and DW dynamics, providing valuable insights for the design and optimization of ferrimagnetic materials for future magnetic memory technologies.

Phase transitions in rare-earth ferrimagnets with surface anisotropy near the magnetization compensation point

Theoretical model is proposed for calculating the phase H-T diagrams of a rare-earth ferrimagnet, considering the effects of each of the magnetic sublattices and surface anisotropy. Magnetic phase diagrams are numerically calculated. The presence of surface anisotropy leads to blurring of the second-order phase transition lines between the collinear and angular phases, displacement of the tricritical point, as well as the possibility of the formation of new phase transition lines.

Tuning magnetization compensation temperature of Gd3Fe5O12 epitaxially grown on Gd3Sc2Ga3O12

The compensated ferrimagnetic insulator Gd3Fe5O12 (GdIG) with a magnetization compensation point (TM ∼ 286 K) near room temperature has recently gained significant attention because of its long spin transmission length and absence of Ohmic loss. However, previously reported GdIG films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy have a TM far below room temperature, which is unfavorable for practical applications. Here, we show the tuning of TM from 268 to 303.7 K in perpendicularly magnetized 15 nm GdIG films epitaxially grown on (111) Gd3Sc2Ga3O12 by manipulating the epitaxial strain through controlling the rapid cooling temperature during the annealing process. By varying the film thickness between 5 and 40 nm, the TM of the film can be further extended to a range of 246–380 K. We have also demonstrated highly efficient switching of the GdIG spin-sublattices driven by current at room temperature in the GdIG/Pt heterostructures with various TM values, especially with TM slightly higher than 300 K. Our findings reveal potential opportunities for insulating compensated ferrimagnetic films of GdIG in the development of high-density, high-speed, and energy-efficient spintronic devices.

Coexistence of large anomalous Nernst effect and large coercive force in amorphous ferrimagnetic TbCo alloy films

The anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) has garnered significant interest for practical applications, particularly in energy harvesting and heat flux sensing. For these applications, it is crucial for the module to operate without an external magnetic field, necessitating a combination of a large ANE and a substantial coercive force. However, most materials exhibiting a large ANE typically have a relatively small coercive force. In our research, we have explored the ANE in amorphous ferrimagnetic TbCo alloy films, noting that the coercive force peaks at the magnetization compensation point (MCP). We observed that transverse Seebeck coefficients are amplified with Tb doping, reaching more than 1.0 μV/K over a wide composition range near the MCP, which is three times greater than that of pure Co. Our findings indicate that this enhancement is primarily due to direct conversion, a product of the transverse thermoelectric component and electrical resistivity. TbCo films present several significant advantages for practical use: a large ANE, the capability to exhibit both positive and negative ANE, the flexibility to be deposited on any substrate due to their amorphous nature, a low thermal conductivity, and a large coercive force. These attributes make TbCo films a promising material for advancing ANE-based technologies.

Chirality reversal of resonant modes in GdFe ferrimagnets

Chirality of antiferromagnetic spin waves as an intrinsic degree of freedom has been attracting considerable attention due to its potential applications for magnonic devices. In this paper, atomistic-scale dynamics simulations were conducted to investigate the chirality of spin wave resonant modes in ferrimagnetic alloy GdxFe1−x (0 < x <1) under different proportion x and external magnetic fields near the angular momentum compensation point. Simulation results reveal that as the proportion of Gd increases, the resonance mode of spin waves undergoes two distinct handedness flipping at magnetization compensation point and angular momentum compensation point. When the proportion x deviates from the magnetization compensation point, a frequency degeneracy point emerges at a non-zero magnetic field, indicating that the chirality of spin waves can also be switched by an external magnetic field. A theoretical analysis is developed to explain the observed phenomena. These findings provide valuable insights into the control and manipulation of spin wave chirality in ferrimagnetic alloys, with potential implications for the development of spin-based devices and technologies.

Magnetocaloric Effect in Rare-Earth Magnetic Materials

Abstract—A study of the magnetocaloric characteristics of rare-earth magnets was carried out. There were studied a systems Gd–H, (Gd,R)Ni–H containing hydrogen (R is a rare earth metal); system RCo2–H with the structure of Laves phases; and systems without hydrogen, such as RTX intermetalic compounds (T = Mn, Fe, Co; X = Si), R2(Fe,T)17 compounds (T = Al), which have a magnetic compensation point and exhibit an alternating magnetocaloric effect (MCE). The MCE was measured by the direct method and calculated indirectly from the field dependences of the magnetization. The main regularities are established and the specific features of the formation of magnetocaloric properties are revealed depending on the composition and structure.

Nonuniform Current-Driven Formation and Displacement of the Magnetic Compensation Point in Variable-Width Nanoscale Ferrimagnets.

Nano- and microstructures based on ferrimagnets can demonstrate high efficiency and dynamics of current-induced magnetization switching combined with high stability of spin textures such as bubble domains and skyrmions, which are of practical importance for the development of spintronics and spin-orbitronics. This set of features is usually associated with magnetic momentum or angular momentum compensation states. Here, we experimentally show that the compensation state can be realized locally using nonuniform Joule heating. This effect is observed in the variable-width current guide made of the ferrimagnetic W/Co76Tb24/Ru thin films, where the position of a region heated to the compensation temperature depends linearly on the current pulse amplitude. This approach makes it possible to observe the simultaneous coexistence of Co-dominant and Tb-dominant regions, where current pulses induce spin-orbit torques in opposite directions, leading to local magnetization switching. It is found that the position of a Néel domain wall constraining the switched region lies in the vicinity of the coordinate corresponding to the compensation point but does not coincide with it due to high mobility under the action of spin current. Our findings open an alternative approach for engineering of ferrimagnetic nanodevices with advanced properties for future applications in spintronics, spin-orbitronics, and nanoelectronics.

SIGN-REVERSING MAGNETOCALORIC EFFECT IN R2Fe10Al7 (R = Dy AND Ho) COMPOUNDS

The magnetic properties of rare-earth ferrimagnetic compounds Dy2Fe10Al7 and Ho2Fe10Al7 with a Th2Zn17 crystal structure have been studied. The temperature dependences of the magnetization and magnetocaloric effect have been examined in the temperature range of 4.2‒300 K in magnetic fields of up to 70 and 18 kOe, respectively. The temperatures of magnetic compensation of the magnetization of the rareearth and iron sublattices have been determined. The magnetocaloric effect has been determined by the direct method. It has been found that the sign of the effect changes near the magnetic compensation point. This phenomenon has an application potential.

Thickness and composition effects on atomic moments and magnetic compensation point in rare-earth transition-metal thin films

Rare-earth (RE) transition-metal (TM) thin films have exhibited great promise for spintronic applications; however, the variation of their magnetic properties with composition and thickness has yet to be adequately quantified. In this paper, we investigate the atomic magnetic moments of few-nanometer-thick GdCo and TbCo via x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and find a significant decrease in both RE and Co average moments with increasing RE concentration, consistent with a local Co environment model description. We observe a shift in compensation composition to higher RE concentrations as the thickness of GdCo and TbCo films decreases $<10$ nm. Based on the dependence of the saturation magnetization $({M}_{s})$ on temperature and thickness, we posit the existence of an intrinsic unalloyed RE dead layer at room temperature that reduces the effective RE concentration in the remaining alloyed region, resulting in significant, nonzero ${M}_{s}$ in thin films at higher RE concentrations than is observed in thick films. We demonstrate a simple model for RE-TM films that accurately describes ${M}_{s}$ as a function of both RE content and film thickness. In addition, the atomic $g$ factors of GdCo and TbCo are found to vary significantly with RE concentration, largely deviating from their elemental values over the bulk of composition space.

Strong variation of spin-orbit torques with relative spin relaxation rates in ferrimagnets

Spin-orbit torques (SOTs) have been widely understood as an interfacial transfer of spin that is independent of the bulk properties of the magnetic layer. Here, we report that SOTs acting on ferrimagnetic FexTb1-x layers decrease and vanish upon approaching the magnetic compensation point because the rate of spin transfer to the magnetization becomes much slower than the rate of spin relaxation into the crystal lattice due to spin-orbit scattering. These results indicate that the relative rates of competing spin relaxation processes within magnetic layers play a critical role in determining the strength of SOTs, which provides a unified understanding for the diverse and even seemingly puzzling SOT phenomena in ferromagnetic and compensated systems. Our work indicates that spin-orbit scattering within the magnet should be minimized for efficient SOT devices. We also find that the interfacial spin-mixing conductance of interfaces of ferrimagnetic alloys (such as FexTb1-x) is as large as that of 3d ferromagnets and insensitive to the degree of magnetic compensation.

Evolution of Compensated Magnetism and Spin-Torque Switching in Ferrimagnetic Fe1−xTbx

Compensated ferrimagnets (FIMs) made of rare-earth transition-metal compounds have stimulated increasing interest for enabling fast spin dynamics. Taking $\mathrm{Fe}$-$\mathrm{Tb}$ compounds as an example, substantial efforts have been made on the study of compensated magnetism and its potential spintronic applications. Current-induced spin-orbit torque (SOT) switching and its evolution with compensated ferrimagnetism in these compounds, however, remain to be systematically explored, which motivates the present study. By combining magnetometry and anomalous Hall effect measurements, a compositional magnetization compensation point (${x}_{c}$ = 0.25) is determined for ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Tb}}_{x}$ films of a fixed thickness of 6.5 nm. The antiferromagnetic coupling between $\mathrm{Fe}$ and $\mathrm{Tb}$ sublattices is directly revealed by conducting element-specific x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements. The evolution of SOT switching as a function of $\mathrm{Tb}$ concentration (x) in $\mathrm{Pt}/{\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Tb}}_{x}/\mathrm{Ta}$ multilayers is subsequently investigated. An enhanced SOT efficiency (approximately 3 times) is obtained at ${x}_{c}$ = 0.25. By conducting an endurance test, reliable SOT switching is revealed for over ${10}^{4}$ cycles. Our work suggests that compensated FIMs of composition ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Tb}}_{x}$ could be implemented for realizing efficient and stable spin-orbitronic performances.

Reversal of current-induced domain wall motion in TbFeCo ferrimagnetic thin films across the magnetization compensation point

We report on a systematic investigation of current-induced domain wall motion in TbFeCo ferrimagnetic thin films with a Pt underlayer. The Tb concentration of the alloy is varied to study the effect of the magnetization compensation on the current-induced motion of domain walls. We find that the direction in which domain walls move changes when the Tb concentration crosses the magnetization compensation point. Interestingly, the domain walls move along (against) the current flow for FeCo-rich (deficient) films. When the film composition is slightly Tb-rich than the magnetic compensation point, the domain wall moves along the current at a lower current but reverses its direction when the current is increased. These results suggest that two competing torques act on the domain walls in the Tb-based ferrimagnets (TbFeCo), causing the domain wall velocity to be more than one order of magnitude smaller than that of Gd-based ferrimagnets.

Terahertz-driven magnetization dynamics of bismuth-substituted yttrium iron-gallium garnet thin film near a compensation point

Magnetization dynamics of bismuth-substituted yttrium iron-gallium garnet film $({\mathrm{Y}}_{3\ensuremath{-}z}{\mathrm{Bi}}_{z})[{\mathrm{Fe}}_{2\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{x}][{\mathrm{Fe}}_{3\ensuremath{-}y}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{y}]{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ has been studied using a terahertz pump--optical probe spectroscopy. Two magnetic modes are observed whose frequencies intersect at a magnetization compensation point. The experimental dependence of the excited modes on terahertz pulse polarization, an external magnetic field and the temperature are analyzed. The theoretical description based on symmetry and the Lagrangian formalisms is proposed. Magnetic modes crossing is explained as interplay between exchange and anisotropy energies equally contributing near the compensation point. Simulations based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equations show that a difference in magneto-optical susceptibilities of tetrahedral and octahedral iron sublattices can substantially enhance the sensitivity to the magnetic modes.

Spatially nonuniform oscillations in ferrimagnets based on an atomistic model

The ferrimagnets, such as GdxFeCo(1-x), can produce ultrafast magnetic switching and oscillation due to the strong exchange field. The two-sublattices macrospin model has been widely used to explain the experimental results. However, it fails in describing the spatial nonuniform magnetic dynamics which gives rises to many important phenomenons such as the domain walls and skyrmions. Here we develop the two-dimensional atomistic model and provide a torque analysis method to study the ferrimagnetic oscillation. Under the spin-transfer torque, the magnetization oscillates in the exchange mode or the flipped exchange mode. When the Gd composition is increased, the exchange mode firstly disappears, and then appears again as the magnetization compensation point is reached. We show that these results can only be explained by analyzing the spatial distribution of magnetization and effective fields. In particular, when the sample is small, a spatial nonuniform oscillation is also observed in the square film. Our work reveals the importance of spatial magnetic distributions in understanding the ferrimagnetic dynamics. The method developed in this paper provides an important tool to gain a deeper understanding of ferrimagnets and antiferromagnets. The observed ultrafast dynamics can also stimulate the development of THz oscillators.

Comprehensive analysis on the dynamic characteristic of K-Rb-21Ne co-magnetometer with transient response

Spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) co-magnetometer is expected to be a high-precision gyroscope, but the slow response speed severely restricts its practicality. In this paper, a transient response analysis is proposed to give comprehensively quantify the dynamic characteristic of the SERF co-magnetometer. A compensation magnetic field configuration is proposed for the fastest response speed the system can achieve. The results show that the system gets the fastest response speed at the dynamic compensation point we proposed and the response speed of the system at that point is 19.36 times faster than that at the traditional magnetic compensation point. In addition, derived from experimental data, the spin-exchange relaxation induced by magnetic fields is observed and quantified, which decreases the sensitivity of inertia and magnetic measurement. This research supports improving the response speed of SERF co-magnetometer and expanding its application range, such as platform inertial navigation systems.

Laser‐Induced Transient Anisotropy and Large Amplitude Magnetization Dynamics in a Gd/FeCo Multilayer

AbstractUltrafast laser‐induced dynamics in a ferrimagnetic gadolinium iron cobalt (Gd/FeCo) multilayer with a magnetization compensation temperature of TM = 320 K is studied at room temperature as a function of laser‐fluence and strength of the applied magnetic field. The dynamics is found to be substantially different from that in archetypical GdFeCo alloys, and depending on the laser fluence one can distinguish two different regimes. At low laser fluence (⩽1.6 mJ cm‐2), ultrafast laser excitation of the medium triggers spin precession of an extraordinary large amplitude reaching over 30°. At high laser fluence (⩾2.2 mJ cm‐2), the pump heats the medium over the magnetization compensation point, spin precession reduces significantly in amplitude and the process of field‐assisted reversal of magnetization of Gd and FeCo is launched. It is argued that such a distinctly different laser‐induced magnetization dynamics in the multilayers compared to the alloys is due to the symmetry breaking at the numerous interfaces, giving rise to additional surface anisotropy. The temperature dependence of the latter is found to be the key ingredient in the mechanism of ultrafast laser‐induced magnetization dynamics in ferrimagnetic multilayers. Controlling the amount and properties of interfaces in multilayers can thus serve as a mean to achieve efficient ultrafast all‐optical control of magnetism.

Spin-Orbit Torque in Structures With Magnetization-Compensated MnGa/Co2MnSi Bilayer

We have systematically investigated the spin-orbit torque (SOT)-induced effective magnetic field in a structure consisting of a Ta heavy metal layer and an antiferromagnetically coupled Mn <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1.8</sub> Ga <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1</sub> /Co <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> MnSi (CMS) bilayer around the magnetization compensation point by varying CMS film thickness. The efficiency of SOT generation takes the maximum around the compensation point, and it is approximately six times as large compared with that in the devices with a MnGa single structure. The enhancement of SOT efficiency can be explained mainly by the reduction in saturation magnetic moment around the compensation point. Moreover, a significant enhancement of the effective spin Hall angle was observed around the compensation point because of the inversion of the magnetization configuration before and after the compensation point.

Current-driven spiral domain wall in a ferrimagnet near the magnetization compensation point

A spiral domain wall emerges when the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya vector is along the easy axis. While the ferromagnetic spiral wall has been well studied, its ferrimagnetic counterpart has nevertheless not been explored. Here, using the collective variable approach, we derive the spiral domain-wall solutions in a ferrimagnetic nanostrip with a longitudinal easy axis and a bulk Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. At the magnetization compensation point, the wall rotates and propagates steadily in a wide current range. The (angular) velocity of this wall increases almost linearly with the experimentally feasible currents. Also, the wall exhibits a relativistic-like contraction with increasing velocity. Near this point, the wall moves smoothly with its velocity linearly depending on the current below the Walker breakdown. Above this critical current, all the internal parameters of the wall, such as the azimuthal angle, width, and spiral pitch, as well as their rates of change, oscillate periodically. The wall moves forward with its velocity varying periodically. These different behaviors at or near the compensation point are ascribed to the tunable demagnetization effect. The adjustability of FiM parameters, combining with the twist induced by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, can effectively change the DW's propagation and rotation.

Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Ho-=SUB=-1-x-=/SUB=-Y-=SUB=-x-=/SUB=-(Co-=SUB=-0.84-=/SUB=-Fe-=SUB=-0.16-=/SUB=-)-=SUB=-2-=/SUB=- compounds

Crystal structure, temperature and field dependences of magnetization, high-field susceptibility, and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of Ho1-xYx(Co0.84Fe0.16)2 polycrystalline compounds (x=0-1) in magnetic fields up to 90 kOe in a temperature range of 5-400 K are investigated. An analysis of temperature dependences of magnetization (sigma) showed that, depending on the yttrium content (x), up to three "critical" temperatures can be simultaneously present in the studied samples: spin-reorientation (Tsr), magnetic compensation point (Tcomp), and Curie temperature (TC). The temperature dependence of the high-field susceptibility (chihf) of all samples with x&lt;1 has an extremum in the vicinity of 100 K, where a significant MCE is observed, associated with a sharp change in the magnetization of the rare-earth sublattice. The temperature dependences of the magnetic entropy change (Delta Sm) and the adiabatic temperature change (Delta Tad) have a complex shape and reflect all the above-mentioned "critical" temperatures observed at different x. Keywords: magnetic properties, direct and inverse magnetocaloric effect, adiabatic temperature change, magnetic moment, Laves phases, Curie temperature, compensation point, spin-reorientation transition.

Perspective on synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of R–Fe–H hydrides

The structural and magnetic properties of the multicomponent R–Fe–H compounds with a high content of Fe and H are reported. The process of synthesis of the hydrides (R,R′)2Fe14BH5.5 [where R and R′ are light (Nd) and heavy (Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) rare earth metals, respectively] with a maximum hydrogen content is described in detail. The paper also provides insights into the synthesis of single-crystalline hydrides using the example of the R2(Fe,Co)14BH3 series. The hydrides (R,Nd)2Fe14BH5.5, R2(Fe,Co)14BH3, R2(Fe,Al)17H3 have a significantly increased volume as compared to the parent materials. High-field magnetization results of both parent and hydrogenated compounds at low temperatures are presented. Spin–reorientation phase transitions induced by an external magnetic field are observed. The parameter of the intersublattice exchange interaction and the influence of hydrogen on it are estimated within the framework of the mean field theory. The magnetocaloric effect of the compounds with a magnetic compensation point is studied with a special emphasis placed on the change of the sign of the effect.