Perpendicular anisotropy of ultrathin epitaxial cobalt films on graphene

TL;DR

This paper reports the growth of ultrathin epitaxial cobalt films on graphene that exhibit perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, opening new avenues for graphene-based spintronic devices with enhanced magnetic control.

Contribution

It demonstrates for the first time the growth of flat, epitaxial ultrathin Co films on graphene with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, confirmed by theory.

Findings

Ultrathin Co films on graphene show perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.

Epitaxial growth of Co on graphene achieved.

Potential for zero-field magnetization control in spintronics.

Abstract

Graphene is attractive for spintronics due to its long spin life time and high mobility. So far only thick and polycrystalline slabs have been used as ferromagnetic electrodes. We report the growth of flat, epitaxial ultrathin Co films on graphene. These display perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in the thickness range 0.5-1nm, which is confirmed by theory. PMA, epitaxy and ultrathin thickness bring new perspectives for graphene-based spintronic devices such as the zero-field control of an arbitrary magnetization direction, band matching between electrodes and graphene, and interface effects such as Rashba and electric field control of magnetism.