Sharp switching of the magnetization in Fe1/4TaS2

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic and transport properties of Fe1/4TaS2 single crystals, revealing sharp magnetization switching behavior, strong anisotropy, and characteristics of a robust ferromagnet with potential applications in magnetic devices.

Contribution

The paper provides detailed anisotropic magneto-transport measurements of Fe1/4TaS2, highlighting its sharp magnetization switching and strong ferromagnetic properties, which were not previously characterized in this material.

Findings

Fe1/4TaS2 orders ferromagnetically below 160 K.

Sharp hysteresis loops observed for H||c indicating strong ferromagnetism.

Magnetization switching time increases with temperature.

Abstract

Anisotropic magneto-transport measurements are reported on Fe1/4TaS2 single crystals grown by vapor transport. Both the magnetization and resistivity are extremely anisotropic, with the magnetic moments aligned parallel to the c crystallographic direction. Fe1/4TaS2 orders ferromagnetically below TC = 160 K and displays very sharp hysteresis loops in the ordered state for H||c. The corresponding magnetoresistance is negative, and it qualitatively reproduces the features observed in the M(H) data, by showing a sharp drop around the critical field Hs for the moment reversal. The magnetization switching time shows an unusual increase with increasing temperature. For field applied within the ab plane, the magnetization remains small and linear in field up to 5 T, and the magnetoresistance is positive and quadratic in field, with no visible hysteresis. The squareness of the H||c M(H) loops and the high critical field for the magnetization switch (Hs = 3.7 T at T = 2 K) allow us to classify Fe1/4TaS2 as a strong ferromagnet.