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Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses
Published on: June 7, 2018
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Thickness-dependent magnetic order in CrI3 single crystals.
Yu Liu1, Lijun Wu2, Xiao Tong3
1Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, 11973, USA. yuliu@bnl.gov.
Scientific Reports
|September 21, 2019
Summary
This study investigates chromium triiodide (CrI3) thin films, revealing thickness-dependent magnetic transitions and critical properties. A layer-independent satellite transition suggests domain wall depinning is key in this 2D ferromagnetic material.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Two-dimensional (2D) materials with intrinsic ferromagnetism are crucial for nano-spintronics.
- Chromium triiodide (CrI3) exhibits long-range magnetic order, with monolayer Curie temperature (Tc) at 45 K.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolution of magnetic transitions and critical properties in CrI3 as crystal thickness is reduced.
- To understand the influence of thickness on magnetic behavior and phase transitions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic reduction of CrI3 crystal thickness down to 50 nm.
- Analysis of magnetic transition temperatures (Tc and T*) and critical properties.
- Application of in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic fields to study metamagnetic transitions.
Main Results:
- Bulk Tc decreases from 61 K to 57 K with reduced thickness.
- A layer-independent satellite transition at T* = 45 K (at 1 kOe) is observed, attributed to magnetic domain wall depinning.
- Out-of-plane fields induce a metamagnetic transition around 20 kOe, unlike in-plane fields.
Conclusions:
- Thickness reduction significantly impacts magnetic ordering and transition temperatures in CrI3.
- The satellite transition at T* is a robust phenomenon, independent of layer number, linked to domain wall dynamics.
- Mean-field interactions govern magnetic behavior in microscale-thick CrI3 films.
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