Single-ion model of the surface anisotropy in YIG films: Axial D fields

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials 2013-08, Vol.340, p.32-37
• Main Authors: Manuilov, S.A., Grünberg, P.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Crystal defects; Crystal structure; Exact sciences and technology; Garnets; Iron; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic properties of monolayers and thin films; Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers; Magnetism; Mathematical models; Physics; Single-ion model; Surface anisotropy; Surface magnetism; Thin magnetic films; Yttrium; Yttrium iron garnet
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2013.03.020

This paper introduces a simple model to calculate the surface anisotropy in (001), (111) and (110) yttrium iron garnet (YIG) films. We use single-ion anisotropy model for the Fe3+ ions in YIG. Our model takes into account the contribution from the Fe3+ ions sitting in a very thin surface layer, and crystalline defects: substitutes and vacancies which behave similar to diamagnetic ions on the octahedral and tetrahedral sites of YIG. The calculated surface anisotropies are on the order of 10−2erg/cm2 at 295K for all crystalline orientations. •We used the single-ion anisotropy model for the calculation of the surface anisotropy in yttrium iron garnet (YIG) films.•We took into account such crystalline defects as Fe3+ vacancies and non-magnetic substitutes.•We took into account the ultrathin surface layer that originates from the YIG structure.•The three different film orientations (001), (111) and (110) were studied.•The absolute values of the surface anisotropies were found to be below 10−2erg/cm2.