Thermal switching of the magnetization in an iron film on a magnetically active template MnAs/GaAs(001)

Abstract

We show that the magnetization direction of a thin Fe film can be fully reversed in a thermal cycle of a few degrees close to room temperature, without making use of an external magnetic field. This result is obtained by depositing the Fe film on MnAs/GaAs͑001͒, which displays a temperature-controlled self-organized pattern of submicron-wide stripes, alternating ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic phases. The temperature-dependent dipolar fields generated by this magnetically active template can be used to control the magnetization of the Fe overlayer.

Tuning the period of elastic MnAs/GaAs(001) α−β pattern by Fe deposition

“…[12][13][14] Beside its peculiar magnetic properties, Fe/MnAs/GaAs͑001͒ is also interesting from a purely structural perspective. [12][13][14] Beside its peculiar magnetic properties, Fe/MnAs/GaAs͑001͒ is also interesting from a purely structural perspective.…”

Dynamics of the MnAs α/β-Striped Microstructure and of the Fe Magnetization Reversal in Fe/MnAs/GaAs(001): An Optical-Laser Pump–Free-Electron-Laser Probe Scattering Experiment

“…For a negative ∆t, one has the same curve measured under static conditions, featuring a maximum at around 28 • C, where the α and β stripes have approximately equal widths [8,11]. A redistribution of the α and β widths at a fixed stripe period following the laser pulse should lead to a different T O dependence for negative and positive delays.…”

“…Soft x-ray resonant scattering studies of the morphological and magnetic properties of MnAs/GaAs [8,9] showed that the intensity of the stripe-related diffraction peaks observed in a rocking scan can serve as a benchmark for evaluating the average width of α and β stripes versus temperature [8]. Later on, MnAs/GaAs(001) has been used as a template for growing a Fe ferromagnetic overlayer [10][11][12][13]. Taking advantage of the element selectivity of resonant x-ray magnetic scattering experiments, it was demonstrated that the direction of the Fe magnetization, M Fe , can be controlled by varying the morphology of the MnAs template via temperature driven stripe formation [11,13].…”

“…Later on, MnAs/GaAs(001) has been used as a template for growing a Fe ferromagnetic overlayer [10][11][12][13]. Taking advantage of the element selectivity of resonant x-ray magnetic scattering experiments, it was demonstrated that the direction of the Fe magnetization, M Fe , can be controlled by varying the morphology of the MnAs template via temperature driven stripe formation [11,13]. These results are interesting for potential applications in temperature induced magnetization switching, without applying external fields.…”

Structure and Magnetism of Orthorhombic Epitaxial FeMnAs

“…The former is relevant to using Fe/MnAs/GaAs(001) for device applications [6][7][8][9] . Here we show that the non-FM ground state of orthorhombic FeMnAs is at the origin of the very low exchangecoupling observed previously in Fe/MnAs hybrid structures, where it was shown that both parallel and anti-parallel magnetic states of Fe and MnAs can be stabilized at low temperature 6-7 . The low magnetic coupling between Fe and MnAs permits non-inductive ways to store information in magnetic Fe/MnAs hybrid structures 9 .…”