Magnetic domain configuration of (111)-oriented LaFeO3 epitaxial thin films

Abstract

In antiferromagnetic spintronics control of the domains and corresponding spin axis orientation is crucial for devices. Here we investigate the antiferromagnetic axis in (111)-oriented LaFeO3/SrTiO3, which is coupled to structural twin domains. The structural domains have either the orthorhombic a- or b-axis along the in-plane 110 cubic directions of the substrate, and the corresponding magnetic domains have the antiferromagnetic axis in the sample plane. Six degenerate antiferromagnetic axes are found corresponding to the 110 and 112 in-plane directions. This is in contrast to the biaxial anisotropy in (001)-oriented films and reflects how crystal orientation can be used to control magnetic anisotropy in antiferromagnets.