Magnetic phase transition in iron-rhodium thin films probed by ferromagnetic resonance

We report the results of ferromagnetic (FMR) resonance measurements on epitaxial FeRh/MgO(0 0 1) samples across the phase transition from the antiferromagnetic (AF) state of FeRh to its ferromagnetic (F) state. From temperature-dependent measurements of position, width and amplitude of the FMR line the phase transition is studied in detail. Our measurements indicate that the AF to F phase transition of FeRh is first order in nature. In addition, the angular and frequency-dependent FMR measurements are used to determine the anisotropy constants and the Gilbert damping parameter of the epitaxial FeRh films.