Modulation of magneto-dynamic properties of permalloy/holmium heterostructures with antiferromagnetic coupled interface

Abstract

Magneto-dynamics and its interfacial modulation have attracted much attention in energy-efficient and nonvolatile spintronic devices. In particular, the antiferromagnetic coupling at the interface plays a crucial role in spin dynamic behaviors. In this work, we utilize rare-earth holmium (Ho) to interface with transition-metal alloy Ni80Fe20(Py) and achieve a naturally formed antiferromagnetic coupling between Py and interfacial Ho via the magnetic proximity effect, as confirmed by element-specific synchrotron radiation x-ray magnetic circular dichroism hysteresis loops. Importantly, the antiferromagnetic coupled interface is preserved even at a low temperature of 4.2 K, which is below the Curie temperature of Ho. Using ferromagnetic resonance analysis, we reveal that the Gilbert damping and the interfacial spin mixing conductance of the Py/Ho bilayers are much larger than those of the Py/Pt and Py/Pd, suggesting a superior spin transparent efficiency on such an interface with an antiferromagnetic coupling. More importantly, upon the insertion of 2-nm-thick Cu, the antiferromagnetic coupling disappears, associated with the evident suppression of Gilbert damping. This strengthens the critical role of the antiferromagnetic coupled interface in the magneto-dynamics of the transition-metal/rare-earth bilayers and provides a promising way of magneto-dynamics modulation in antiferromagnet-based devices.