Magneto-electric coupling in antiferromagnet/ferroelectric Mn{sub 2}Au/BaTiO{sub 3} interface

Journal Article · Sun Aug 21 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4961213· OSTI ID:22598903

Plekhanov, Evgeny ^[1]; Stroppa, Alessandro ^[2]; Picozzi, Silvia ^[3]

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1. King's College London, Theory and Simulation of Condensed Matter (TSCM), The Strand, London WC2R 2LS (United Kingdom)
2. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto SPIN, UOS CNR-SPIN L'Aquila, I-67100 L'Aquila (Italy)
3. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto SPIN, UOS L'Aquila, Sede di lavoro CNR-SPIN c/o University “G. D'Annunzio,” 66100 Chieti (Italy)

Within the crucial issue of the electric field control of magnetism, the use of antiferromagnets (AFMs) coupled to ferroelectrics is much less explored than the ferromagnets counterpart, although the first choice might lead to better performances and larger stability with respect to external perturbations (such as magnetic fields). Here, we explore the possibility to control the magnetic anisotropy of a Mn{sub 2}Au layer by reversing the ferroelectric polarization of BaTiO{sub 3} in Mn{sub 2}Au/BaTiO{sub 3} interfaces. By means of a thorough exploration of many possible geometry configurations, we identify the two most stable, corresponding to compressive and tensile strain at the interface. The first appears to be easy-axis, while the second—easy-plane—with a large induced moment on the interface Ti atom. The reversal of ferroelectric polarization changes the anisotropy by approximately 50%, thus paving the way to the control of AFM properties with an electric field.

• OSTI ID: 22598903
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 120, Issue 7; Other Information: (c) 2016 Author(s); Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ANISOTROPY
ANTIFERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
APPROXIMATIONS
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
CONTROL
COUPLING
DISTURBANCES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
EXPLORATION
FERROELECTRIC MATERIALS
GEOMETRY
INTERFACES
LAYERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETISM
PERFORMANCE
PERTURBATION THEORY
POLARIZATION
TITANATES