Substrate Induced Strain Field in FeRh Epilayers Grown on Single Crystal MgO (001) Substrates

Barton, C. W.; Ostler, T. A.; Huskisson, D.; Kinane, C. J.; Haigh, S. J.; Hrkac, G.; Thomson, T.

Abstract

Equi-Atomic FeRh is highly unusual in that it undergoes a first order meta-magnetic phase transition from an antiferromagnet to a ferromagnet above room temperature (T r â ‰ 370 K). This behavior opens new possibilities for creating multifunctional magnetic and spintronic devices which can utilise both thermal and applied field energy to change state and functionalise composites. A key requirement in realising multifunctional devices is the need to understand and control the properties of FeRh in the extreme thin film limit (t FeRh < 10 nm) where interfaces are crucial. Here we determine the properties of FeRh films in the thickness range 2.5-10 nm grown directly on MgO substrates. Our magnetometry and structural measurements show that a perpendicular strain field exists in these thin films which results in an increase in the phase transition temperature as thickness is reduced. Modelling using a spin dynamics approach supports the experimental observations demonstrating the critical role of the atomic layers close to the MgO interface.

Citation

Barton, C. W., Ostler, T. A., Huskisson, D., Kinane, C. J., Haigh, S. J., Hrkac, G., & Thomson, T. (2017). Substrate Induced Strain Field in FeRh Epilayers Grown on Single Crystal MgO (001) Substrates. Scientific reports, 7, Article 44397. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep44397

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 7, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Apr 12, 2017
• Publication Date: Apr 12, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jun 15, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 20, 2022
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Print ISSN: 2045-2322
• Electronic ISSN: 2045-2322
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Article Number: 44397
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep44397
• Keywords: Electronic devices; Magnetic properties and materials
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4014704