First-principles study of the voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy at the surface of the MnPt antiferromagnet

Using antiferromagnets in microwave spin wave logic devices could increase their speed and reliability compared to ferromagnets. Spin waves can be excited parametrically in an ultrathin magnetic strip using voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA). MnPt is an attractive material for this purpose thanks to its small and easily tunable magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Here we study VCMA at the surface of MnPt using local-orbital-based first-principles calculations. In order to isolate the response of the interfacial magnetic anisotropy to the external field, slabs of several differet thicknesses are examined. Different surface terminations are considered.