Direct visualization of the magnetostructural phase transition in nano-scale FeRh thin films using differential phase contrast imaging

TL;DR

This study uses advanced electron microscopy to directly visualize and quantify the magnetostructural transition in nano-scale FeRh thin films, revealing detailed domain growth behavior crucial for spintronic device applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel in-situ imaging approach combining differential phase contrast with TEM to observe FeRh phase transition at the nanoscale in real-time.

Findings

Visualized ferromagnetic domain growth during transition

Detected surface FM signals influenced by substrate strain

Provided high-resolution, quantitative transition data

Abstract

To advance the use of thermally-activated magnetic materials in device applications it is necessary to examine their behaviour on the localised scale in operando conditions. Equi-atomic FeRh undergoes a magnetostructural transition from an antiferromagnetic (AF) to a ferromagnetic (FM) phase above room temperature (~ 75 to 105 {\deg}C) and hence is considered a very desirable material for the next generation of novel nanomagnetic or spintronic devices. For this to be realised, we must fully understand the intricate details of AF to FM transition and associated FM domain growth on the scale of their operation. Here we combine in-situ heating with a comprehensive suite of advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques to investigate directly the magnetostructural transition in nano-scale FeRh thin films. Differential phase contrast imaging visualizes the stages of FM domain growth in both cross-sectional and planar FeRh thin films as a function of temperature. Small surface FM signals are also detected due to interfacial strain with the MgO substrate and Fe deficiency after HF etching of the substrate, providing a directional bias for FM domain growth. Our work provides high resolution imaging and quantitative measurements throughout the transition, which were previously inaccessible, and offers new fundamental insight into their potential use in magnetic devices.