Interdiffusion in epitaxial ultrathin Co2FeAl/MgO heterostructures with interface-induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. (13th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wen, Zhenchao; Hadorn, Jason Paul; Okabayashi, Jun; Sukegawa, Hiroaki; Ohkubo, Tadakatsu; Inomata, Koichiro; Mitani, Seiji; Hono, Kazuhiro
• Is Part Of: Applied physics express. Volume 10:Number 1(2017)
• Publication Date: 2016-12-13
• Subjects: Physics -- Periodicals; Technology -- Periodicals; 621.05
• DOI: 10.7567/APEX.10.013003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1882-0778

Abstract

Abstract: The interfacial atomic structure of epitaxial ultrathin Co2 FeAl/MgO(001) heterostructures, which is related to the interface-induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), was investigated using scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. Al atoms from the Co2 FeAl layer significantly interdiffused into MgO, forming an Al-deficient Co–Fe–Al/Mg–Al–O structure near the Co2 FeAl/MgO interface. This atomic replacement may have enhanced the PMA, which is consistent with the observed large perpendicular orbital magnetic moments of Fe atoms at the interface. This work suggests that control of interdiffusion at ferromagnet/barrier interfaces is critical for designing an interface-induced PMA system.