Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in piezoelectric- and dielectric–ferromagnetic heterostructures based on Co/Pt multilayers

We have optimized the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of piezoelectric/ferromagnetic and dielectric/ferromagnetic heterostructures based on Co/Pt multilayers. These hybrid systems are promising for electric field control of magnetism for applications to ultra-low power spintronics devices. Epitaxial (PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3)0.7-(PbTiO3)0.3 has been used for the piezoelectric layer and several dielectric layers (MgO, Al2O3, HfO2, Ta2O5 and TiO2) have been tested. We show that for both heterostructures perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of Co/Pt multilayers can be obtained with small coercivity.

► We optimize the piezoelectric- and dielectric–ferromagnetic heterostructures.
► Co/Pt multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy were grown on piezoelectric layer.
► Magnetic properties of Pt/Co/Pt are influenced by the bottom dielectric layers.
► The dielectric cap layers influence the perpendicular anisotropy of the Pt/Co/Pt.