Proximity-enhanced magnetocaloric effect in ferromagnetic trilayers

The demagnetization and associated magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in strong-weak-strong ferromagnetic trilayers, upon a reorientation of the strong ferromagnets from parallel to antiparallel (AP) magnetization, is simulated using atomistic spin dynamics. The simulations yield non-trivial spin distributions in the AP state, which in turn allows entropy to be calculated directly. The influence of longer-range spin-spin interactions and of variable strength of the external switching field are investigated. Finally, we find that the MCE in the system can be significantly improved by allowing the local exchange to vary through the spacer, which in practice can be implemented by spatially tailoring the spacer's magnetic dilution.

Automated summary

In this study, atomistic spin dynamics simulations were used to investigate the demagnetization and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in strong-weak-strong ferromagnetic trilayers when the strong ferromagnets undergo a reorientation from parallel to antiparallel magnetization. The simulations revealed non-trivial spin distributions in the antiparallel state, allowing for direct calculation of entropy. The influence of longer-range spin-spin interactions and variable strength of the external switching field were also explored. Furthermore, it was found that the MCE in the system can be significantly improved by varying the local exchange through the spacer, which can be achieved by spatially tailoring the magnetic dilution of the spacer.