Abstract
It is demonstrated that the nearest-neighbor Mn pair on the GaAs (001) surface has a lower energy for the direction compared to the [110] case. According to the group theory and Luttinger’s method of invariants, this specific Mn distribution results in bulk uniaxial in-plane and out-of-plane anisotropies. The sign and magnitude of the corresponding anisotropy energies determined by a perturbation method and ab initio computations are consistent with experimental results.
- Received 21 February 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.237203
© 2012 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Anisotropy Defying Crystal Symmetry
Published 7 June 2012
Microscopic distribution of alloy constituents explains the puzzling magnetic anisotropy in films.
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