Manipulation of magnetic anisotropy by voltage induced strain in Co2MnAl/PMN-PT heterostructure

Abstract

We have investigated the effect of an external electric field on the magnetic properties of Co2MnAl thin films deposited on a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) (011) substrate. Stain-induced magnetoelectric coupling affects the magnetic properties of the Co2MnAl/PMN-PT system. The piezo-strain induced by applying an external field normal to the surface induces only in-plane strain, which leads to the rotation of easy-axis orientation of Co2MnAl from [100] to [01 1 ¯] direction. The remanent magnetization states and coercivity of the Co2MnAl film vary significantly and asymmetrically with the applied voltage due to anisotropic strain originating from PMN-PT. Electrical control of magnetic anisotropy in a Co2MnAl Heusler compound at room temperature will be of interest for realizing next-generation magnetoelectric random access memory devices.