The phenomenon of electron tunnelling has been known since the advent of quantum mechanics, but continues to enrich our understanding of many fields of physics, as well as creating sub-fields on its own. Spin-dependent tunnelling (SDT) in magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) has recently aroused enormous interest and has developed in a vigorous field of research. The large tunnelling magnetoresistance (TMR) observed in MTJs garnered much attention due to possible applications in non-volatile random-access memories and next-generation magnetic field sensors. This led to a number of fundamental questions regarding the phenomenon of SDT. In this review article we present an overview of this field of research. We discuss various factors that control the spin polarization and magnetoresistance in MTJs. Starting from early experiments on SDT and their interpretation, we consider thereafter recent experiments and models which highlight the role of the electronic structure of the ferromagnets, the insulating layer, and the ferromagnet/insulator interfaces. We also discuss the role of disorder in the barrier and in the ferromagnetic electrodes and their influence on TMR.

We demonstrate that magnetic properties of ultra-thin Co films adjacent to Gd 2 O 3 gate oxides can be directly manipulated by voltage. The Co films can be reversibly changed from an optimallyoxidized state with a strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy to a metallic state with an in-plane magnetic anisotropy, or to an oxidized state with nearly zero magnetization, depending on the polarity and time duration of the applied electric fields. Consequently, an unprecedentedly large change of magnetic anisotropy energy up to 0.73 erg/cm 2 has been realized in a nonvolatile manner using gate voltages of only a few volts. These results open a new route to achieve ultra-low energy magnetization manipulation in spintronic devices.

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A model of magnetic interactions in the ordered ferromagnetic FePt is proposed on the basis of first-principles calculations of non-collinear magnetic configurations and shown to be capable of explaining recent measurements of magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE). The site (Fe,Pt) resolved contributions to the MAE have been distinguished with small Fe easy-plane and large Pt easyaxis terms. This model has been tested against available experimental data on the temperature dependence of MAE showing scaling of uniaxial MAE (K1(T)) with magnetization (M(T)) K1(T ) ∼ M (T ) γ characterized by the unusual exponent of γ = 2.1. It is shown that this unusual behavior of the FePt can be quantitatively explained within the proposed model and originates from an effective anisotropic exchange mediated by the induced Pt moment. The latter is expected to be a common feature of 3d-5d(4d) alloys having 5d/4d elements with large spin-orbit coupling and exchange enhanced Stoner susceptibility.

Magnetic anisotropy phenomena in bimetallic antiferromagnets Mn2Au and MnIr are studied by first-principles density functional theory calculations. We find strong and lattice-parameter dependent magnetic anisotropies of the ground state energy, chemical potential, and density of states, and attribute these anisotropies to combined effects of large moment on the Mn 3d shell and large spin-orbit coupling on the 5d shell of the noble metal. Large magnitudes of the proposed effects can open a route towards spintronics in compensated antiferromagnets without involving ferromagnetic elements.

It is demonstrated that ultrafast generation of ferromagnetic order can be achieved by driving a material from an antiferromagnetic to a ferromagnetic state using femtosecond optical pulses. Experimental proof is provided for chemically ordered FeRh thin films. A subpicosecond onset of induced ferromagnetism is followed by a slower increase over a period of about 30 ps when FeRh is excited above a threshold fluence. Both experiment and theory provide evidence that the underlying phase transformation is accompanied, but not driven, by a lattice expansion. The mechanism for the observed ultrafast magnetic transformation is identified to be the strong ferromagnetic exchange mediated via Rh moments induced by Fe spin fluctuations.

We present results of the magneto-crystalline anisotropy energy (MAE) calculations for chemically ordered L10 CoPt and FePt alloys taking into account the effects of strong electronic correlations and spin-orbit coupling. The local spin density + Hubbard U approximation (LSDA+U) is shown to provide a consistent picture of the magnetic ground state properties when intra-atomic Coulomb correlations are included for both 3d and 5d elements. Our results demonstrate significant and complex contribution of correlation effects to large MAE of these material.