Title :
Magnetism in Cr2O3 Thin Films: An Ab Initio Study
Author :
Choudhary, Renu ; Skomski, Ralph ; Kashyap, Arti
Author_Institution :
Sch. of Basic Sci., IIT Mandi, Mandi, India
Abstract :
The magnetism of Cr2O3 thin films on α-Al2O3 is investigated using first-principle calculations by considering three Cr2O3 films having thicknesses of 4.1 Å (I), 6.7 Å (II), and 10.9 Å (III) and comparing the spin structures of free films with those on the substrate. For the free films, we find that I is ferromagnetic (FM), while II and III are antiferromagnetic (AFM). On the substrate, the Cr2O3 film I is also FM. Films II and III remain basically AFM, although the spins of the top Cr layers change sign in both films, creating a ferrimagnet with a small uncompensated net moment.
Keywords :
ab initio calculations; antiferromagnetic materials; chromium compounds; ferrimagnetic materials; ferromagnetic materials; magnetic moments; magnetic thin films; Ab Initio calculations; Cr2O3; antiferromagnetic material; ferrimagnetic material; ferromagnetic material; first-principle calculations; magnetism; moment; spin structures; thin films; Aluminum oxide; Films; Frequency modulation; Magnetic hysteresis; Magnetoelectric effects; Saturation magnetization; Substrates; Cr2O3 film; local moment; spin structure and ferrimagnetism;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TMAG.2015.2435035
