Impact of Inter-site Spin–Orbit Coupling on Perpendicular Magnetocrystalline Anisotropy in Cobalt-Based Thin Films

• Published in: Journal of the Physical Society of Japan Vol. 89; no. 11; p. 114710
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Thi Phuong Thao, Yamauchi, Kunihiko, Nakamura, Kohji, Oguchi, Tamio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo The Physical Society of Japan 15-11-2020
• Subjects: Anisotropy; First principles; Magnetic anisotropy; Spin-orbit interactions; Stacking; Thin films; Transition metals
• ISSN: 0031-9015; 1347-4073
• DOI: 10.7566/JPSJ.89.114710

Realization of magnetic atomic layers exhibiting strong magnetic anisotropy is desired for future magnetic memory applications. Here, the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Co-based 3d transition-metal thin films is systematically investigated by using first-principles calculations. The computational results predict that large perpendicular magnetocrystalline anisotropy can be achieved by tuning the atomic-layer alignments in Ni–Co thin film. Both hcp- and fcc-like stacking of Co–Ni thin film prefer the perpendicular magnetization direction while the hcp-like stacking is more stable than the fcc-like stacking. We discovered that not only the on-site SOC of 3d elements determines the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy but also the strong hybridization between these elements plays a constructive role to enhance the perpendicular magnetocrystalline anisotropy.