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Optimization of ruthenium as a buffer layer for non-collinear antiferromagnetic Mn3X films

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Article

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Authors

Zilske, P 
Xu, XD 
Frentrup, M 
Vickers, ME 

Abstract

jats:pTwo thin film deposition routes were studied for the growth of high quality single crystalline Ru (0001) epitaxial films on c-Al2O3 substrates using radio frequency-magnetron sputtering. Such films are very important as buffer layers for the deposition of epitaxial non-collinear antiferromagnetic Mn3X films. The first route involved depositing Ru at 700 °C, leading to a smooth 30 nm thick film. Although, high resolution x-ray diffraction revealed twinned Ru film orientations, in situ post-annealing eliminated one orientation, leaving the film orientation aligned with the substrate, with no in-plane lattice rotation and a large lattice mismatch (13.6%). The second route involved the deposition of Ru at room temperature followed by in situ post-annealing at 700 °C. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed a very high quality of these films, free of crystal twinning, and a 30° in-plane lattice rotation relative to the substrate, resulting in a small in-plane lattice mismatch of –1.6%. X-ray reflectivity demonstrated smooth surfaces for films down to 7 nm thickness. 30 nm thick high quality single-crystalline Mn3Ga and Mn3Sn films were grown on top of the Ru buffer deposited using the second route as a first step to realize Mn3X films for antiferromagnetic spintronics applications.</jats:p>

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Keywords

40 Engineering, 4016 Materials Engineering

Journal Title

Journal of Applied Physics

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0021-8979
1089-7550

Volume Title

127

Publisher

AIP Publishing

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
European Commission Horizon 2020 (H2020) Marie Sk?odowska-Curie actions (642642)
H2020-MSCA-ITN-2014 SELECTA (grant agreement no. 642642 of the European Commission).