KMnF<sub>3</sub> Thin Film Epitaxial Growth and Characterization
ORAL
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).
*This material is based upon work supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences under Award Number DE-SC0024400.
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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 G Zanoni
- University of Colorado, Colorado Springs