Interplay Between Structure and Interfacial Interactions in Fe‐Gd Synthetic Ferrimagnets

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Authors: Álvaro González-García, Alejandro Álvarez-Chico, Jairo Obando-Guevara, S. Gallégo, Unai Atxitia, Iulia Cojocariu, Matteo Jugovac, Tevfik Onur Menteş, Andrea Locatelli, Arantzazu Mascaraque, M.A. González
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References: 37

Abstract

ABSTRACT Transition metal–rare earth compounds are promising synthetic ferrimagnets for next‐generation spintronic devices, where magnetic domain structure and thermal evolution are key to performance. We studied ultrathin Fe–Gd ferrimagnets grown epitaxially on W(110) by atomic layer deposition, combining element‐resolved magnetic microscopy with structural characterization. Comparing Gd/Fe and Fe/Gd bilayers with homogeneous Fe 1 − x Gd x alloys, we find that Curie temperature ( T c ) and domain behavior are governed primarily by crystallinity and interfacial coupling. In crystalline Gd/Fe, the Gd layer remains ferromagnetic up to ∼500 K, far above its bulk T c , due to strong interfacial coupling. In contrast, poor crystallinity of the Fe layer in Fe/Gd suppresses Fe magnetic order, yielding a reduced common T c of ∼325 K, similar to the homogeneous alloy ( T c ∼ 345 K). Atomistic spin simulations capture these trends and isolate the role of disorder. Together, these results demonstrate how structural control can be used to tune Curie and compensation temperatures in ultrathin ferrimagnetic heterostructures for ultrafast, energy‐efficient spintronic applications.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Magnetic properties of thin films Heusler alloys: electronic and magnetic properties Magnetic Properties of Alloys

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Electronic Materials
Volume
12
Issue
4
Publication date
9 January 2026
Language
EN