• Bluschke, M.; Frano, A.; Schierle, E.; Minola, M.; Hepting, M.; Christiani, G.; Logvenov, G.; Weschke, E.; Benckiser, E.; Keimer, B.: Transfer of Magnetic Order and Anisotropy through Epitaxial Integration of 3d and 4f Spin Systems. Physical Review Letters 118 (2017), p. 207203/1-5

10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.207203
Open Access Version

Abstract:
Resonant x-ray scattering at the Dy M-5 and Ni L-3 absorption edges was used to probe the temperature and magnetic field dependence of magnetic order in epitaxial LaNiO3 - DyScO3 superlattices. For superlattices with 2 unit cell thick LaNiO3 layers, a commensurate spiral state develops in the Ni spin system below 100 K. Upon cooling below T-ind = 18 K, Dy-Ni exchange interactions across the LaNiO3 - DyScO3 interfaces induce collinear magnetic order of interfacial Dy moments as well as a reorientation of the Ni spins to a direction dictated by the strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Dy. This transition is reversible by an external magnetic field of 3 T. Tailored exchange interactions between rare-earth and transition-metal ions thus open up new perspectives for the manipulation of spin structures in metal-oxide heterostructures and devices.