Stacking-dependent exchange bias in two-dimensional ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic bilayers

A clear microscopic understanding of exchange bias is crucial for its application in magnetic recording, and further progress in this area is desired. Based on the results of our first-principles calculations and Monte Carlo simulations,we present a theoretical proposal for a stacking-dependent exchange bias in two-dimensional compensated van der Waals ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic bilayer heterostructures. The exchange bias effect emerges in stacking registries that accommodate inhomogeneous interlayer magnetic interactions between the ferromagnetic layer and different spin sublattices of the antiferromagnetic layer. Moreover, the on/off switching and polarity reversal of the exchange bias can be achieved by interlayer sliding, and the strength can be modulated using an external electric field. Our findings push the limits of exchange bias systems to extreme bilayer thickness in two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures, potentially stimulating new experimental investigations and applications.

Theoretical Investigation of Influence of Mechanical Stress on Magnetic Properties of Ferromagnetic/Antiferromagnetic Bilayers Deposited on Flexible Substrates

Effect of mechanical stress on magnetic properties of an exchange-biased ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic bilayer deposited on a flexible substrate is investigated. The hysteresis loops with different magnitudes and orientations of the stress can be classified into three types. The corresponding physical conditions for each type of the loop are deduced based on the principle of minimal energy. The equation of the critical stress is derived, which can judge whether the loops show hysteresis or not. Numerical calculations suggest that except for the magnitude of the mechanical stress, the relative orientation of the stress is also an important factor to tune the exchange bias effect.

Model of hybrid interfacial domain wall in ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic bilayers

A general model of a hybrid inteffacial domain wall （HIDW） in ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic exchange biased bilayers is proposed, where an inteffacial domain wall is allowed to extend into either the ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic layer or across both. The proposition is based on our theoretical investigation on thickness and field dependences of ferromagnetic domain wall （FMDW） and antiferromagnetic domain wall （AFDW）, respectively. Good match of the simulation to the hysteresis loops of a series of NiFe/FeMn exchange-biased bilayers confirms the existence of the HIDW, where the AFDW part is found to preferentially occupy the entire antiferromagnetic layer while the FMDW shrinks with the increased magnetic field as expected. The observed asymmetry between the ascending and descending branches of the hysteresis loop is explained naturally as a consequence of different partition ratios between AFDW and FMDW.

Phase-field simulation of superconductor vortex clustering in the vicinity of ferromagnetic domain bifurcations

Superconductors and ferromagnets are highly non-compatible materials due to the natures of their respective electronic states.But when artificially brought together,they develop interesting characteristics,one of which,vortex clustering,is discussed here in this paper.Phase-field and micromagnetic simulations are performed to investigate the superconductor and ferromagnet bilayer,respectively.The ferromagnet with uniaxial anisotropy is observed to develop the maze domain,whereas the superconductor subjected to the influence of the ferromagnetic stray field displays a vortex pattern.Clustered vortices in superconductors at certain locations are observed to be precisely located over magnetic domain bifurcations.The enhanced out-of-plane stray field at bifurcations around the curved domain walls and the convergent Lorentz force due to screening currents in superconductor are attributed to the formation of clusters at bifurcation sites.Segregation of the inter-vortex spacing between straight and bifurcated domain is clearly observed.More importantly,inter-vortex spacing is predicted to serve as a precise tool to map local ferromagnet domain shapes.

Unified nonequilibrium dynamical theory for exchange bias and training effects

We have investigated the exchange bias and training effect in the ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic （FM/AF） heterostructures using a unified Monte Carlo dynamical approach. The magnetization of the uncompensated AF layer is still open after the first field cycling is finished. Our simulated results show obvious shift of hysteresis loops （exchange bias） and cycling dependence of exchange bias （training effect） when the temperature is below 45 K. The exchange bias field decreases with decreasing cooling rate or increasing temperature and the number of the field cycling. Essentially, these two effects can be explained on the basis of the microscopical coexistence of both reversible and irreversible moment reversals of the AF domains. Our simulations are useful to understand the real magnetization dynamics of such magnetic heterostructures.