Atomic-scale control of magnetic anisotropy via novel spin-orbit coupling effect in La2/3Sr1/3MnO3/SrIrO3 superlattices

TL;DR

This study demonstrates atomic-scale manipulation of magnetic anisotropy in La2/3Sr1/3MnO3/SrIrO3 superlattices by leveraging spin-orbit coupling effects in non-magnetic 5d transition metal oxides, enabling control over magnetic easy axis orientation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to control magnetic anisotropy in 3d transition metal oxides using engineered superlattices with 5d TMOs exhibiting strong spin-orbit coupling.

Findings

Magnetic easy axis reorientation achieved by controlling SIO layer thickness.

Emergence of a new spin-orbit state within nominally paramagnetic SIO.

Precise atomic-scale control of superlattice layer thicknesses.

Abstract

Magnetic anisotropy (MA) is one of the most important material properties for modern spintronic devices. Conventional manipulation of the intrinsic MA, i.e. magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA), typically depends upon crystal symmetry. Extrinsic control over the MA is usually achieved by introducing shape anisotropy or exchange bias from another magnetically ordered material. Here we demonstrate a pathway to manipulate MA of 3d transition metal oxides (TMOs) by digitally inserting non-magnetic 5d TMOs with pronounced spin-orbit coupling (SOC). High quality superlattices comprised of ferromagnetic La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 (LSMO) and paramagnetic SrIrO3 (SIO) are synthesized with the precise control of thickness at atomic scale. Magnetic easy axis reorientation is observed by controlling the dimensionality of SIO, mediated through the emergence of a novel spin-orbit state within the nominally paramagnetic SIO.