II. Ultrathin Magnetic
Oxide Films for Spintronics Applications
Magnetic oxide films are of interest for a variety of spintronics applications, including voltage-switchable magnetoelectric materials, such as Cr2O3(0001) [1]. Such films, including Co3O4(111), may also form useful substrates for graphene or other 2D materials for spintronics applications [2]. We are growing epitaxial magnetic oxide films, including Cr2O3(0001), NiO(111) and Fe2O3(0001) (Fig. 1) [3, 4] on a variety of oriented substrates The emphasis is on large domain size, for voltage-switching applications, and of interactions with graphene and other 2D materials for heterostructures with novel magnetic behaviors. Growth measures include MBE of metals in oxygen atmospheres.
References
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[2] Y. Wang, L. Kong, F.L. Pasquale, Y. Cao, B. Dong, I. Tanabe, C. Binek, P.A. Dowben, J.A. Kelber. Graphene mediated domain formation in exchange coupled graphene/Co3O4(111)/Co(0001) trilayers. J Phys : Cond Matt. 25 (2013) 472203.
[3] X. Chen, H. Kazi, Y. Cao, B. Dong, F. Pasquale, J.A. Colon-Santan, S. Cao, M. Street, R. Welch, C. Binek, A. Enders, J. Kelber, P.A. Dowben. Ultrathin chromia films grown with preferential texture on metallic, semimetallic and insulating substrates. Mat Chem and Phys. 149-50 (2015) 113-123.
[4] I. Tanabe, H. Kazi, Y. Cao, J.L. Rodenburg, T. Komesu, B. Dong, F.L. Pasquale, M.S. Driver, J.A. Kelber, P.A. Dowben. Strain induced super-paramagnetism in Cr2O3 in the ultra thin film limit. MRS Proc. 1729 (2015) http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/opl.2015.5