Sustainable Heusler and Antiferromagnetic Thin Films for High Density Data Storage
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We are reaching capacity limits in data storage devices, due to restrictions on further miniaturization. There are also sustainability concerns regarding long-term data storage solutions, specifically associated with the use of critical raw elements. The use of novel materials must be investigated to address both sustainability and capacity concerns in the field of spin transport electronics (spintronics). This thesis investigates thin films of Fe/Mn/Al based Heusler alloys and antiferromagnetic Mn
Heusler alloys offer a very promising platform to tailor physical properties of materials through element compositional changes and substitution. In the first part of this thesis, both polycrystalline and epitaxial Fe/Mn/Al Heusler alloy thin films are investigated as potential sustainable electrodes for spin valves. 200-nm-thick Fe
20 nm – thick Fe
In the second part of this thesis, the use of antiferromagnets, substituting conventional ferromagnets, for spintronic devices is explored. Antiferromagnetic materials offer higher stability than ferromagnetic materials, with higher packing density, due to minimal stray fields and insensitivity to external magnetic fields. Non-collinear antiferromagnetic