Triaxial magnetic anisotropy and Morin transition in α-Fe2O3 epitaxial films characterized by spin Hall magnetoresistance

We grew epitaxial thin films of hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) on (0 0 0 1) Al2O3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition and investigated their magnetic properties. alpha-Fe2O3 films grown at lower temperatures are found to undergo the Morin transition at higher temperatures, implying that lowering the growth temperature and managing lattice defects associated with strain relaxation are key to realizing Morin transition. We also characterized films' magnetic properties by spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR). We show that tri-axial magnetic anisotropy can be detected as SMR features having a 60 degrees period with respect to in-plane magnetic field rotations. Furthermore, a large change in SMR ratio associated with Neel vector re-orientation due to Morin transition is seen. Details of SMR properties for alpha-Fe2O3 films and their analysis results, including the influence of the fabrication process on SMR behaviors, are discussed. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.

Automated summary

We grew epitaxial thin films of hematite on Al2O3 substrates and investigated their magnetic properties. The films undergo Morin transition at higher temperatures when grown at lower temperatures. The magnetic properties were characterized by spin Hall magnetoresistance, revealing tri-axial magnetic anisotropy and large changes in SMR ratio associated with Neel vector re-orientation due to Morin transition.