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Tuning spin excitations in magnetic films by confinement
Jonathan Pelliciari1, Sangjae Lee2, Keith Gilmore3
1National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, USA. pelliciari@bnl.gov.
Nature Materials
|January 19, 2021
Summary
Researchers studied spin excitations in iron (Fe) thin films using X-ray scattering. Reducing film thickness altered spin wave energies, offering control over magnetic properties.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Spin excitations are fundamental to magnetic devices.
- Spin dynamics in bulk materials are well-understood, but mesoscopic films present challenges.
- Experimental limitations have hindered studies on spin behavior in thin films.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate spin excitation spectra in mesoscopic iron (Fe) films.
- Understand the impact of reduced thickness on spin dynamics.
- Explore thickness as a parameter for controlling magnetic properties.
Main Methods:
- Resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) was employed.
- Studies were conducted on Fe films ranging from bulk-like to three unit cells thick.
- Heisenberg model calculations were used to interpret results.
Main Results:
- Bulk Fe samples exhibited isotropic, dispersive ferromagnons.
- As thickness decreased, ferromagnetic spin excitations showed reduced energy along the out-of-plane direction.
- In-plane dispersion of spin excitations remained consistent across thicknesses.
Conclusions:
- Mesoscopic scaling significantly affects spin dynamics in magnetic thin films.
- Confinement in the out-of-plane direction, due to reduced Fe bonds, influences spin excitation energies.
- Film thickness can be precisely controlled to tune and manage magnetic properties.
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