Mechanism for normal chirality at hexagonal interfaces

ORAL

Abstract

We study the net chirality created by the Dzyaloshinkii-Moriya interaction (DMI) at the boundary between hexagonal layers of magnetic and non-magnetic materials. It is determined that another mechanism besides elastic torsion is required to understand the change in chirality observed in Dy/Y multilayers during field cooling. We show that due to the overlap between magnetic and non-magnetic atoms, interfacial steps may produce a DMI normal to the interface in magnetic heterostructures.

*Research sponsored by the Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering, U.S. Department of Energy under contract with UT-Battelle, LLC.

Authors

  • J.T. Haraldsen

    • Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • R.S. Fishman

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory