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Hysteretic spin-density-wave ordering in confined geometries
Eric E Fullerton1, J L Robertson, A R E Prinsloo
1San Jose Research Center, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, San Jose, California 95120, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|December 20, 2003
Summary
We observed unique magnetic transitions in chromium-manganese superlattices. Temperature changes caused shifts in spin-density-wave order, with hysteresis dependent on the number of magnetic nodes.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Magnetism
Background:
- Antiferromagnetic spin-density-wave (SDW) order is crucial in chromium-based materials.
- Understanding interfacial effects in superlattices is key to controlling magnetic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of manganese doping on SDW order in Cr/CrMn superlattices.
- To characterize temperature-induced transitions and hysteresis in the SDW order.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Cr/Cr(97.5)Mn2.5(001) superlattices.
- Temperature-dependent measurements of antiferromagnetic SDW order.
- Analysis of SDW period transitions and hysteresis.
Main Results:
- Manganese doping confined incommensurate SDW order within Cr layers, establishing a high Néel temperature.
- Observed transitions between commensurate and incommensurate SDW order with discrete changes in SDW period.
- Significant hysteresis (up to 75 K) was found for odd changes in SDW nodes, but not for even changes.
Conclusions:
- The observed hysteresis is attributed to the interplay between interfacial spin structure and spin-slip formation at SDW nodes.
- These findings offer insights into controlling magnetic order in layered magnetic materials.