Low Temperature Magnetic Domain Patterns in MnAs Films Grown on GaAs(001)

TL;DR

This study investigates the temperature-dependent magnetic domain patterns in MnAs films on GaAs(001), revealing how phase coexistence and film thickness influence magnetic structures across a broad temperature range.

Contribution

It provides detailed insights into the magnetic domain evolution in MnAs films, highlighting the effects of phase coexistence and film thickness on magnetic properties.

Findings

Domain structures resemble single domain with uniform magnetization.

Phase coexistence affects domain morphology and distribution.

Magnetic properties depend on film thickness and temperature.

Abstract

Magnetic properties of MnAs were studied as a function of temperature with a superconducting interference device (5 K to 350 K), and atomic force microscopy/magnetic force microscopy (20 K to 360 K). Structural and magnetic properties of MnAs depend on film thickness both near and far below the Curie temperature. In samples with coexisting ferromagnetic alpha-MnAs and paramagnetic beta-MnAs, the domain structures are affected by the distribution of two phases. The magnetic domain structures below the temperature range of this mixed phase resemble that of a single domain structure with uniform magnetization along the easy axis, except there are regions elongated along the easy axis embedded where the magnetization is along the second easy axis, i.e., normal to the films. The shape of those regions and their temperature dependence are also related to the MnAs layer thickness.