Journal of Magnetics

The Korean Magnetics Society (한국자기학회)
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Electric Field-Induced Modification of Magnetocrystalline Anisotropy in Transition-metal Films and at Metal-Insulator Interfaces

  • Nakamura, K. (Department of Physics Engineering, Mie University) ;
  • Akiyama, T. (Department of Physics Engineering, Mie University) ;
  • Ito, T. (Department of Physics Engineering, Mie University) ;
  • Weinert, M. (Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) ;
  • Freeman, A.J. (Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University)
  • Received : 2011.02.20
  • Accepted : 2011.04.19
  • Published : 2011.06.30
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Abstract

We report results of first principles calculations for effects of an external electric field (E-field) on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) in transition-metal (Fe, Co, and Ni) monolayers and at metal-insulator (Fe/MgO) interfaces by means of full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method. For the monolayers, the MCA in the Fe monolayer (but not in the Co and Ni) is modified by the E-field, and a giant modification is achieved in the $Fe_{0.75}Co_{0.25}$. For the Fe/MgO interfaces, the ideal Fe/MgO interface gives rise to a large out-of plane MCA, and a MCA modification is induced when an E-field is introduced. However, the existence of an interfacial FeO layer between the Fe layer and the MgO substrate may play a key role in demonstrating an Efield-driven MCA switching, i.e., from out-of-plane MCA to in-plane MCA.

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