Electronic and geometric controlling the magnetization orientation of a material in nanoscale is key in developing spintronics, which correlates with tuning its magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (MCAE). Although the MCAE of a Fe thin film is measured to oscillate with the film thickness and to vary with the amount of injected charges, switching the magnetization orientation electrically is desired. In this work, we provide a microscopic picture based on Fe quantum-well states and spin orbital coupling to explain experimental results (a), and thus predict that the magnetization orientation of a 5-ML Fe film can be switched electrically (b).
- Ching-Hao Chang
- Kun-Peng Dou
- Chao-Cheng Kaun
