Recent progress in perpendicularly magnetized Mn-based binary alloy films

TL;DR

This review summarizes recent advances in the growth, characterization, and application of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in Mn-based binary alloy films, specifically MnxGa and MnxAl, highlighting their potential in spintronic devices.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the latest progress in synthesis, structural analysis, magnetic properties, and device integration of MnxGa and MnxAl thin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.

Findings

Progress in epitaxial growth techniques for MnxGa and MnxAl

Enhanced magnetic anisotropy in thin films

Successful integration into spintronic devices

Abstract

In this article, we review the recent progress in growth, structural characterization, magnetic properties and related spintronic devices of tetragonal MnxGa and MnxAl thin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. In the first part of this review, we present a brief introduction to the demands for perpendicularly magnetized materials in spintronics, magnetic recording and permanent magnets applications, and the most promising candidates of tetragonal MnxGa and MnxAl with strong perpendicular anisotropy. Then, in the second and third parts, we focus on the recent progress of perpendicularly magnetized MnxGa and MnxAl, respectively, including their lattice structures, bulk synthesis, epitaxial growth, structural chracterizations, magnetic and other spin-dependent properties, and spintronic devices like magnetic tunneling junctions, spin valves and spin injector into semiconductors. Finally, we give a summary and a perspective of these perpendicularly magnetized Mn-based binary alloy films for future applications.