Pressure control of the magnetic anisotropy of the quasi-two-dimensional van der Waals ferromagnet Cr2Ge2Te6

We report the results of the pressure-dependent measurements of the static magnetization and of the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) of Cr2Ge2Te6 to address the properties of the ferromagnetic phase of this quasi-two-dimensional van der Waals magnet. The static magnetic data at hydrostatic pressures up to 3.4 GPa reveal a gradual suppression of ferromagnetism in terms of a reduction of the critical transition temperature, a broadening of the transition width, and an increase of the field necessary to fully saturate the magnetization M-s. The value of M-s similar or equal to 3 mu(B)/Cr remains constant within the error bars up to a pressure of 2.8 GPa. The anisotropy of the FMR signal continuously diminishes in the studied hydrostatic pressure range up to 2.39 GPa, suggesting a reduction of the easy-axis-type magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (MAE). A quantitative analysis of the FMR data gives evidence that up to this pressure the MAE constant KU, although getting significantly smaller, still remains finite and positive, i.e., of the easy-axis type. Therefore, a recently discussed possibility of switching the sign of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy in Cr2Ge2Te6 could only be expected at still higher pressures, if possible at all, due to the observed weakening of the ferromagnetism under pressure. This circumstance may be of relevance for the design of strain-engineered functional heterostructures containing layers of Cr2Ge2Te6.

Automated summary

The pressure-dependent measurements of Cr2Ge2Te6 indicate a gradual suppression of ferromagnetic properties, with a reduction in critical transition temperature and transition width, as well as an increase in the field needed to saturate the magnetization. The anisotropy of the ferromagnetic resonance signal decreases with increasing pressure, suggesting a potential change in magnetocrystalline anisotropy at higher pressures.