Abstract
The electric-field-induced switching of magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) between in-plane and out-of-plane orientations is investigated by first-principles calculations for the prototypical Fe on MgO(001) system. Our results predict that an ideal abrupt Fe/MgO interface gives rise to a large out-of-plane MCA due to weak Fe-O hybridization at the interface, but the MCA switching by an applied electric field is found to be difficult to achieve. Instead, the existence of an interfacial FeO layer plays a key role in demonstrating the MCA switching that accompanies an electric-field-induced displacement of Fe atoms on the interfacial FeO layer.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 220409 |
| Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
| Volume | 81 |
| Issue number | 22 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 22 2010 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Cite this
Role of an interfacial FeO layer in the electric-field-driven switching of magnetocrystalline anisotropy at the Fe/MgO interface. / Nakamura, Kohji; Akiyama, Toru; Ito, Tomonori; Weinert, M.; Freeman, Arthur J.
In: Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 81, No. 22, 220409, 22.06.2010.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Role of an interfacial FeO layer in the electric-field-driven switching of magnetocrystalline anisotropy at the Fe/MgO interface
AU - Nakamura, Kohji
AU - Akiyama, Toru
AU - Ito, Tomonori
AU - Weinert, M.
AU - Freeman, Arthur J
PY - 2010/6/22
Y1 - 2010/6/22
N2 - The electric-field-induced switching of magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) between in-plane and out-of-plane orientations is investigated by first-principles calculations for the prototypical Fe on MgO(001) system. Our results predict that an ideal abrupt Fe/MgO interface gives rise to a large out-of-plane MCA due to weak Fe-O hybridization at the interface, but the MCA switching by an applied electric field is found to be difficult to achieve. Instead, the existence of an interfacial FeO layer plays a key role in demonstrating the MCA switching that accompanies an electric-field-induced displacement of Fe atoms on the interfacial FeO layer.
AB - The electric-field-induced switching of magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) between in-plane and out-of-plane orientations is investigated by first-principles calculations for the prototypical Fe on MgO(001) system. Our results predict that an ideal abrupt Fe/MgO interface gives rise to a large out-of-plane MCA due to weak Fe-O hybridization at the interface, but the MCA switching by an applied electric field is found to be difficult to achieve. Instead, the existence of an interfacial FeO layer plays a key role in demonstrating the MCA switching that accompanies an electric-field-induced displacement of Fe atoms on the interfacial FeO layer.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77956337101&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77956337101&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevB.81.220409
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevB.81.220409
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:77956337101
VL - 81
JO - Physical Review B-Condensed Matter
JF - Physical Review B-Condensed Matter
SN - 1098-0121
IS - 22
M1 - 220409
ER -