Induced four fold anisotropy and bias in compensated NiFe/FeMn double layers

A vector spin model is used to show how frustrations within a multisublattice antiferromagnet such as FeMn can lead to four-fold magnetic anisotropies acting on an exchange coupled ferromagnetic film. Possibilities for the existence of exchange bias are examined and shown to exist for the case of weak chemical disorder at the interface in an otherwise perfect structure. A sensitive dependence on interlayer exchange is found for anisotropies acting on the ferromagnet through the exchange coupling, and we show that a wide range of anisotropies can appear even for a perfect crystalline structure with an ideally flat interface.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

In-plane magnetic reorientation in coupled ferro- and antiferromagnetic thin films

By studying coupled ferro- (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) thin film systems, we obtain an in-plane magnetic reorientation as a function of temperature and FM film thickness. The interlayer exchange coupling causes a uniaxial anisotropy, which may compete with the intrinsic anisotropy of the FM film. Depending on the latter the total in-plane anisotropy of the FM film is either enhanced or reduced. Eventually a change of sign occurs, resulting in an in-plane magnetic reorientation between a collinear and an orthogonal magnetic arrangement of the two subsystems. A canted magnetic arrangement may occur, mediating between these two extremes. By measuring the anisotropy below and above the N\'eel temperature the interlayer exchange coupling can be determined. The calculations have been performed with a Heisenberg-like Hamiltonian by application of a two-spin mean-field theory.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Magnetization relaxation in (Ga,Mn)As ferromagnetic semiconductors

We describe a theory of Mn local-moment magnetization relaxation due to p-d kinetic-exchange coupling with the itinerant-spin subsystem in the ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga,Mn)As alloy. The theoretical Gilbert damping coefficient implied by this mechanism is calculated as a function of Mn moment density, hole concentration, and quasiparticle lifetime. Comparison with experimental ferromagnetic resonance data suggests that in annealed strongly metallic samples, p-d coupling contributes significantly to the damping rate of the magnetization precession at low temperatures. By combining the theoretical Gilbert coefficient with the values of the magnetic anisotropy energy, we estimate that the typical critical current for spin-transfer magnetization switching in all-semiconductor trilayer devices can be as low as $\sim 10^{5} {\rm A cm}^{-2}$.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Rapid Communication

Fundamental Scientific Problems in Magnetic Recording

Magnetic data storage technology is presently leading the high tech industry in advancing device integration--doubling the storage density every 12 months. To continue these advancements and to achieve terra bit per inch squared recording densities, new approaches to store and access data will be needed in about 3-5 years. In this project, collaboration between Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Center for Materials for Information Technology (MINT) at University of Alabama (UA), Imago Scientific Instruments, and Seagate Technologies, was undertaken to address the fundamental scientific problems confronted by the industry in meeting the upcoming challenges. The areas that were the focus of this study were to: (1) develop atom probe tomography for atomic scale imaging of magnetic heterostructures used in magnetic data storage technology; (2) develop a first principles based tools for the study of exchange bias aimed at finding new anti-ferromagnetic materials to reduce the thickness of the pinning layer in the read head; (3) develop high moment magnetic materials and tools to study magnetic switching in nanostructures aimed at developing improved writers of high anisotropy magnetic storage media

The n-particle picture and the calculation of the electronic structure of atoms, molecules, and solids

The works referred to above indicate the usefulness of viewing an N-particle system from a higher-dimensional perspective. In doing so, one should attempt to strike a balance between conceptual clarity and computational efficiency, which mitigates against considering calculations in 3n-dimensional space except for rather small values of n. It appears that such a procedure may be profitably employed if a system of N particles were to be considered as consisting of a collection of units or sets, (I{sub k}), each containing n{sub k} particles so that {Sigma}{sub k} n{sub k} = N. The resulting problem associated with these sets of particles that interact with one another is obviously formally identical to the original one. However, it possesses the formal advantage of allowing, in principle, the systematic approach to an exact solution by treating the entire system as a single unit. The operative words here are in principle, as practical applications do not seem to be possible but for the smallest number of particles in a unit, say n = 2 or n = 3. However, in such an implementation, the interparticle correlation is treated directly and explicitly within a unit, resulting in a more accurate treatment of the system the larger the number of particle in a unit

Multi-teraflops spin dynamics studies of the magnetic structure of FeMn/Co interfaces

The authors have used the power of massively parallel computers to perform first principles spin dynamics (SD) simulations of the magnetic structure of Iron-Manganese/Cobalt (FeMn/Co) interfaces. These large scale quantum mechanical simulations, involving 2016-atom super-cell models, reveal details of the orientational configuration of the magnetic moments at the interface that are unobtainable by any other means. Exchange bias, which involves the use of an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer such as FeMn to pin the orientation of the magnetic moment of a proximate ferromagnetic (FM) layer such as Co, is of fundamental importance in magnetic multilayer storage and read head devices. Here the equation of motion of first principles SD is used to perform relaxations of model magnetic structures to the true ground (equilibrium) state. Our code is intrinsically parallel and has achieved a maximum execution rate of 2.46 Teraflops on the IBM SP at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC)

Neutron Scattering Studies of Nanomagnetism and Artificially Structured Materials

Nanostructured magnetic materials are intensively studied due to their unusual properties and promise for possible applications. The key issues in these materials relate to the connection between their physical properties (transport, magnetism, mechanical, etc.) and their chemical-physical structure. In principle, a detailed knowledge of the chemical and physical structure allows calculation of their physical properties. Theoretical and computational methods are rapidly evolving so that magnetic properties of nanostructured materials might soon be predicted. Success in this endeavor requires detailed quantitative understanding of the magnetic structure and properties