Strong Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy at Co(111)/α-Cr2O3(0001) Interface

We have investigated the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) at the ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic interface using [Pt/Co](n)/alpha-Cr2O3 superlattices. By changing the number of stacking periods, the contributions of the Co/alpha-Cr2O3 and Pt/Co interfaces to the PMA are separately estimated. The results indicate that the strong PMA is induced at the Co/alpha-Cr2O3 interface as well as at the Pt/Co interface. The change in the interface magnetic anisotropy energy density with the ferromagnetic layer composition supports the PMA at the Co/alpha-Cr2O3 interface. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of PMA at the ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic interface. (C) 2012 The Japan Society of Applied Physics