Tunable magnetic anisotropy of antiferromagnetic NiO in (Fe)/NiO/MgO/Cr/MgO(001) epitaxial multilayers
W. Janus, T. Ślęzak, M. Ślęzak, M. Szpytma, P. Dróżdż, H. Nayyef, Anna Mandziak, D. Wilgocka‐Ślęzak, Marcin Zając, Matteo Jugovac, Tevfik Onur Menteş, Andrea Locatelli, A. Kozioł‐Rachwał
Abstract
Abstract We report on the magnetic properties of antiferromagnetic NiO(001) thin films in epitaxially grown NiO/MgO( d MgO )/Cr/MgO(001) system for different thicknesses of MgO, d MgO . Results of X-ray Magnetic Linear Dichroism show that together with an increase of d MgO , rotation of NiO spins from in-plane towards out-of-plane direction occurs. Furthermore, we investigated how the proximity of Fe modifies the magnetic state of NiO in Fe/NiO/MgO( d MgO )/Cr/MgO(001). We proved the existence of a multidomain state in NiO as a result of competition between the ferromagnet/antiferromagnet exchange coupling and strain exerted on the NiO by the MgO buffer layer.