Spin-orbit coupling induced anisotropy effects in bimetallic antiferromagnets: A route towards antiferromagnetic spintronics

Magnetic anisotropy phenomena in bimetallic antiferromagnets Mn2Au and MnIr are studied by first-principles density-functional theory calculations. We find strong and lattice-parameter-dependent magnetic anisotropies of the ground-state energy, chemical potential, and density of states, and attribute these anisotropies to combined effects of large moment on the Mn 3d shell and large spin-orbit coupling on the 5d shell of the noble metal. Large magnitudes of the proposed effects can open a route towards spintronics in compensated antiferromagnets without involving ferromagnetic elements.