Enhancing the magnetic anisotropy energy by tuning the contact areas of Ag and Ni at the Ag/Ni interface

Abstract

Modifying the interfacial conditions of magnetic layers by capping with overlayers can efficiently enhance the magnetic functionality of a material. However, the mechanisms responsible for this are closely related to the crystalline structure, compositional combinations, and interfacial quality, and are generally complex. In this contribution, we explored the use of Ag ultrathin overlayers on annealed . A method for preparing magnetic layers with different levels of enhanced magnetic anisotropy energy was developed. The method essentially involves simply modifying the contact area of the metallic/magnetic interface. A rougher interface results in a larger contact area between the Ag and Ni layers, resulting in an increase in magnetic anisotropy energy. Moreover, post-annealing treatments led to the segregation of Ni atoms, thus making the enhancement in the coercive force even more efficient. A model permits an understanding of the contact area and a strategy for enhancing the magnetic anisotropy energy and the coercive force was developed. Our approaches and the developed model promise to be helpful in terms of developing potential applications of ultrathin magnetic layers in the area of spintronics.

Acoustic ferromagnetic resonance and spin pumping induced by surface acoustic waves

“…(13) in Eq. (14) we obtain the Hamiltonian describing the interaction between SAW and spins via the rotational deformation ω xz where l xi is the x-component of the position vector for the i-th site. The interaction described by Eq.…”

Enhancing silicide formation in Ni/Si(111) by Ag-Si particles at the interface

“…Ni atoms were evaporated by passing an electronic current through a resistively heated Ni coil. The detailed information about the sample preparations are described in the method section as well as in our previous reports 13–17 .…”

“…For Ni/Si(111) with a coverage between 1.8 and 5 ML, the zero value of the Kerr intensity can be attributed to the finite size effect resulting from the formation of Ni clusters 39,50 . The thermal agitation of the magnetization diminishes the exchange coupling between atomic magnetic moments in Ni clusters 13,15 . Therefore, Ni/Si(111) adopts a phase comprised of paramagnetic clusters.…”

“…A He-Ne laser with a wavelength of 632.8 nm was used as the light source for the SMOKE measurements. The experimental components have been described in previous reports 13–17,22,23 .…”

“…The formation of CoSi 2 compounds at the interface on a Si(111) surface occurs and the easy axis of magnetization of Co/Si films is canted out-of-plane due to interfacial effects 14 . By tuning the contact areas of Ag and Ni at the Ag/Ni interface, it is possible to change the coercive force of the films by modifying the magnetic anisotropy energy 13 . By controlling interface band alignment, the functionality of the EuO/Si spin contact shows a conduction band offset of 1.0 eV, a value that is competitive with charge electronics 24 .…”