title: Substrate Induced Strain Field in FeRh Epilayers Grown on Single Crystal MgO (001) Substrates.
abstract: Equi-atomic FeRh is highly unusual in that it undergoes a first order meta-magnetic phase transition from an antiferromagnet to a ferromagnet above room temperature (Tr≈ 370 K). This behavior opens new possibilities for creating multifunctional magnetic and spintronic devices which can utilise both thermal and applied field energy to change state and functionalise composites. A key requirement in realising multifunctional devices is the need to understand and control the properties of FeRh in the extreme thin film limit (tFeRh< 10 nm) where interfaces are crucial. Here we determine the properties of FeRh films in the thickness range 2.5-10 nm grown directly on MgO substrates. Our magnetometry and structural measurements show that a perpendicular strain field exists in these thin films which results in an increase in the phase transition temperature as thickness is reduced. Modelling using a spin dynamics approach supports the experimental observations demonstrating the critical role of the atomic layers close to the MgO interface.
authors.affiliation: NEST Research Group, School of Computer Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.affiliation: Université de Liège, Physique des Matériaux et Nanostructures, Liège, B-4000 Sart Tilman, Belgium.|College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Harrison Building, Streatham Campus, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter, EX4 4QF, UK.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ostler
authors.affiliation: NEST Research Group, School of Computer Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.|School of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huskisson
authors.affiliation: ISIS, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX, UK.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kinane
authors.affiliation: School of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Haigh
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Harrison Building, Streatham Campus, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter, EX4 4QF, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hrkac
authors.affiliation: NEST Research Group, School of Computer Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thomson