A novel multiferroic/full-heusler BiFeO3/Co2FeAl0.5Si0.5 heterostructure: Structural, ferroelectric and magnetic properties

A heterostructure consisting of a multiferroic BiFeO3 (BFO) layer and a full-heusler alloy Co2FeAl0.5Si0.5 (CFAS) layer was in-situ grown on (001) SrTiO3 crystal by using pulsed laser deposition. Partial oxidization was observed at the interface between BFO and CFAS layers. Ferroelectric features were confirmed in the BFO/CFAS heterostructure. Interestingly, a special correlation between the exchange bias field and the thickness of BFO layers was demonstrated, which is closely related to spiral modulation wavelength and crystallization of the BFO films. The attractive multiferroic properties of the BFO/CFAS heterostructure could find potential application in future spintronic information devices.