Title

Magnetic properties of one-dimensional Ni/Cu and Ni/Al multilayered nanowires: Role of nonmagnetic spacers

Authors

Partha Pratim Pal, Michigan Technological University
Ranjit Pati, Michigan Technological UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-29-2008

Abstract

We have used density functional theory within spin-polarized local density approximation to investigate the equilibrium structure, electronic, and magnetic properties of one-dimensional Ni/Cu and Ni/Al multilayered nanowires. In particular, we look into the subtle changes in the magnetic properties of the nanowires with the change in the width of the nonmagnetic spacer. Our calculations yield the magnitude of cohesive energy in both the systems to decrease with the increase in the concentration of the nonmagnetic spacer, suggesting that Ni rich nanowires are more stable. Analysis of the magnetic moment per Ni atom (μ_av) in the Ni/Cu hybrid multilayered nanowire suggests that there is a steady decrease in μ_av with the increase in the number of Cu layers. In contrast, in Ni/Al multilayered nanowire, there is a nonmonotonic decrease in μ_av with the increase in Al layers. The observed difference in magnetic property between Ni/Cu and Ni/Al multilayered nanowires is attributed to the dissimilar interfacial bonding in the two cases. In the case of Ni/Al nanowire, the nonmonotonic variation in μ_av is due to the strong directional nature of the Ni d and Al p hybridization, which favors Ni to have higher coordination number. Higher coordination for Ni leads to smaller μav in the Ni/Al multilayered nanowire. However, the hybridization between Ni d and Cu s states is predominantly responsible for the smaller μ_av in the Ni/Cu nanowire. Furthermore, we found that in Ni/Al multilayered nanowire with two Al spacer layer, the antiferromagnetic configuration is favored over ferromagnetic configuration. In Ni/Cu multilayered nanowire, ferromagnetic configuration is favored over antiferromagnetic configuration for the same spacer length

Publisher's Statement

© 2008 American Physical Society. Article deposited here in compliance with publisher policy. Publisher's version of record: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.77.144430

Publication Title

Physical Review B

Recommended Citation

Pal, P. P., & Pati, R. (2008). Magnetic properties of one-dimensional Ni/Cu and Ni/Al multilayered nanowires: Role of nonmagnetic spacers. Physical Review B, 77. http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.77.144430
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/physics-fp/132

Version

Publisher's PDF