Forcing ferromagnetic coupling between rare-earth-metal and 3d ferromagnetic films.
Using density functional calculations, we have studied the magnetic properties of nanocomposites composed of rare-earth-metal elements in contact with 3d transition metals (Fe and Cr). We demonstrate the possibility to obtain huge magnetic moments in such nanocomposites, of order 10mu(B)/rare-earth-metal atom, with a potential to reach the maximum magnetic moment of Fe-Co alloys at the top of the so-called Slater-Pauling curve. A first experimental proof of concept is given by thin-film synthesis of Fe/Gd and Fe/Cr/Gd nanocomposites, in combination with x-ray magnetic circular dichroism.
Sanyal
Biplab
B
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden. Biplab.Sanyal@fysik.uu.se
Antoniak
Carolin
C
Burkert
Till
T
Krumme
Bernhard
B
Warland
Anne
A
Stromberg
Frank
F
Praetorius
Christian
C
Fauth
Kai
K
Wende
Heiko
H
Eriksson
Olle
O