KMnF<sub>3</sub> Thin Film Epitaxial Growth and Characterization
Oral-In-person
Abstract
Interest in antiferromagnets (AFMs) as promising materials for modern spintronics and magnonics arises from their ultrafast dynamics, nanoscale integration compatibility, and insensitivity to stray fields [1]. However, several AFMs that have been historically well-characterized in bulk have not been characterized in thin films.
Using molecular beam epitaxy, we grew KMnF3 [2-4] films of varying thickness and crystal quality. Electron diffraction confirms our films are monocrystalline with a high degree of crystallinity. Additionally, X-ray analysis shows the films have a cubic crystal structure at RT with a lattice constant of 4.189Å, which perfectly matches the structure of the bulk. The ongoing magnetic investigation of the KMnF3 reveals a complex band structure very sensitive to temperature. Our studies open the door to applications of epitaxial KMnF3 films for magnonic and spintronic experiments.
[1] J. Han et al., Nature Materials, 22, 684 (2023)
[1] O. Beckman and K. Knox, Phys. Rev. 121, 376 (1961).
[2] A. J. Heeger, O. Beckman, and A. M. Portis, Phys. Rev. 123, 1652 (1961).
[3] K. S. Knight, et al., Journal of Alloys and Compounds 842, 155935 (2020).
Using molecular beam epitaxy, we grew KMnF3 [2-4] films of varying thickness and crystal quality. Electron diffraction confirms our films are monocrystalline with a high degree of crystallinity. Additionally, X-ray analysis shows the films have a cubic crystal structure at RT with a lattice constant of 4.189Å, which perfectly matches the structure of the bulk. The ongoing magnetic investigation of the KMnF3 reveals a complex band structure very sensitive to temperature. Our studies open the door to applications of epitaxial KMnF3 films for magnonic and spintronic experiments.
[1] J. Han et al., Nature Materials, 22, 684 (2023)
[1] O. Beckman and K. Knox, Phys. Rev. 121, 376 (1961).
[2] A. J. Heeger, O. Beckman, and A. M. Portis, Phys. Rev. 123, 1652 (1961).
[3] K. S. Knight, et al., Journal of Alloys and Compounds 842, 155935 (2020).
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Publication: O. G. Zanoni et al. KMnF3 Thin Film Growth by Molecular Beam Epitaxy and Characterization. In preparation.
Presenters
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Olivia Zanoni
- University of Colorado, Colorado Springs