Executive Summary : | This project aims to investigate low-dimensional antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials in forms of films and multilayers for possible applications in spintronics where the magnetic and electronic properties will be studied across temperature and magnetic fields. Focus will be paid to non-collinear and synthetic AFM systems which have shown promising applications in AFM spintronics. Geometrical frustration and Dzyaloshinskii – Moriya (DM) interaction are the key parameters in non-collinear AFMs which render non-collinear chiral-spin structure in these materials. In spite of their negligibly small magnetic moment, a large anomalous Hall effect has been observed in these materials due to a non-vanishing Berry curvature arising from exotic interplay between topology and band structure. On the other hand, synthetic AFM systems are referred to trilayer or multilayer system where the (ferro)magnetic layers are separated by nonmagnetic spacer layer. The exchange interaction between the magnetic layers is tuned to be AFM-type with variation of both spacer and magnetic layer thickness. The interlayer magnetic exchange in synthetic AFMs being much weaker than the direct- or super-exchange in crystal AFMs, this allows an easier manipulation of magnetic ordering in synthetic AFMs. The films and multilayers of proposed AFM systems will be prepared using magnetron sputtering and pulse laser deposition system. The electrical conductivity, magnetic, magnetoresistance and Hall measurements will be done in wide range of temperature and magnetic fields and electrical currents. All the objectives are very timely and in consonance with current interest in condensed matter physics. |