Almeida, T. P. , McGrouther, D. , Temple, R., Massey, J., Li, Y., Moore, T., Marrows, C. H. and McVitie, S. (2020) Direct visualization of the magnetostructural phase transition in nanoscale FeRh thin films using differential phase contrast imaging. Physical Review Materials, 4(3), 034410. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.4.034410)
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Abstract
To advance the use of thermally activated magnetic materials in device applications it is necessary to examine their behavior on the localized scale operando conditions. Equiatomic FeRh undergoes a magnetostructural transition from an antiferromagnetic (AF) to a ferromagnetic (FM) phase above room temperature (∼350–380 K), and hence is considered a very desirable material for the next generation of nanomagnetic or spintronic devices. For this to be realized, we must fully understand the intricate details of the 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 nanoscale 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 fundamental insight into their potential use in magnetic devices.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | McGrouther, Dr Damien and Li, Miss Yue and McVitie, Professor Stephen and Almeida, Dr Trevor |
| Authors: | Almeida, T. P., McGrouther, D., Temple, R., Massey, J., Li, Y., Moore, T., Marrows, C. H., and McVitie, S. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
| Journal Name: | Physical Review Materials |
| Publisher: | American Physical Society |
| ISSN: | 2475-9953 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2475-9953 |
| Published Online: | 24 March 2020 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2020 American Physical Society |
| First Published: | First published in Physical Review Materials 4(3): 034410 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy |
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