High spin polarization in epitaxial films of ferrimagnetic Mn3Ga

TL;DR

This paper reports high spin polarization in epitaxial Mn3Ga films, which combine low magnetization and high anisotropy, making them promising for thermally stable spintronic memory applications.

Contribution

The study demonstrates high spin polarization in epitaxial Mn3Ga films and highlights their potential for use in thermally stable spin transfer torque memory devices.

Findings

Spin polarization as high as 58% measured via point contact Andreev reflection

Low saturation magnetization of 0.11 MA/m

High perpendicular anisotropy with Ku = 0.89 MJ/m^3

Abstract

Ferrimagnetic Mn3Ga exhibits a unique combination of low saturation magnetization (Ms = 0.11 MA m-1) and high perpendicular anisotropy with a uniaxial anisotropy constant of Ku = 0.89 MJ m-3. Epitaxial c-axis films exhibit spin polarization as high as 58%, measured using point contact Andreev reflection. These epitaxial films will be able to support thermally stable sub-10 nm bits for spin transfer torque memories.