Controlling the switching field in nanomagnets by means of domain-engineered antiferromagnets

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that shape-controlled antiferromagnetic domains can significantly reduce the switching field in nanomagnets, offering a new way to manipulate magnetic properties at the nanoscale.

Contribution

It introduces a method to control nanomagnet switching fields using shape-engineered antiferromagnetic domain states, combining experimental observations with theoretical discussion.

Findings

Shape-controlled antiferromagnetic domains reduce switching fields.

Competition between spin-flop coupling and shape anisotropy influences magnetic behavior.

Shape effects in antiferromagnets can be harnessed for magnetic property control.

Abstract

Using soft x-ray spectromicroscopy, we investigate the magnetic domain structure in embedded nanomagnets defined in La$_{0.7}$Sr$_{0.3}$MnO$_3$ thin films and LaFeO$_3$/La$_{0.7}$Sr$_{0.3}$MnO$_3$ bilayers. We find that shape-controlled antiferromagnetic domain states give rise to a significant reduction of the switching field of the rectangular nanomagnets. This is discussed in the framework of competition between an intrinsic spin-flop coupling and shape anisotropy. The data demonstrates that shape effects in antiferromagnets may be used to control the magnetic properties in nanomagnets.