Magnetic skin layer of NiO(100) probed by polarization-dependent spectromicroscopy

Mandal, Suman and Belkhou, Rachid and Maccherozzi, Francesco and Menon, Krishnakumar SR (2014) Magnetic skin layer of NiO(100) probed by polarization-dependent spectromicroscopy. In: APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS, 104 (24).

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Abstract

Using polarization-dependent x-ray photoemission electron microscopy, we have investigated the surface effects on antiferromagnetic (AFM) domain formation. Depth-resolved information obtained from our study indicates the presence of strain-induced surface AFM domains on some of the cleaved NiO(100) crystals, which are unusually thinner than bulk AFM domain wall widths (similar to 150 nm). Existence of such magnetic skin layer is substantiated by exchange-coupled ferromagnetic Fe domains in Fe/NiO(100), thereby evidencing the influence of this surface AFM domains on interfacial magnetic coupling. Our observations demonstrate a depth evolution of AFM structure in presence of induced surface strain, while the surface symmetry-breaking in absence of induced strain does not modify the bulk AFM domain structure. Realization of such thin surface AFM layer will provide better microscopic understanding of the exchange bias phenomena. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
Publisher:	AMER INST PHYSICS
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to the AMER INST PHYSICS, CIRCULATION & FULFILLMENT DIV, 2 HUNTINGTON QUADRANGLE, STE 1 N O 1, MELVILLE, NY 11747-4501 USA
Department/Centre:	Division of Chemical Sciences > Solid State & Structural Chemistry Unit
Date Deposited:	14 Aug 2014 09:55
Last Modified:	14 Aug 2014 09:55
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/49549

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