Work

Hund’s Rule-Driven Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction at 3 d − 5 d Interfaces

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Using relativistic first-principles calculations, we show that the chemical trend of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) in 3d-5d ultrathin films follows Hund's first rule with a tendency similar to their magnetic moments in either the unsupported 3d monolayers or 3d-5d interfaces. We demonstrate that, besides the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effect in inversion asymmetric noncollinear magnetic systems, the driving force is the 3d orbital occupations and their spin-flip mixing processes with the spin-orbit active 5d states control directly the sign and magnitude of the DMI. The magnetic chirality changes are discussed in the light of the interplay between SOC, Hund's first rule, and the crystal-field splitting of d orbitals.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.117.247202

Authors: A. Belabbes, G. Bihlmayer, F. Bechstedt, S. Blügel, A. Manchon

Institutions: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Language: English

Topic: Magnetic properties of thin films

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Award: G378470473