Perpendicular anisotropy: graphene and cobalt go hand in hand

When you stack several monolayers of cobalt to obtain perpendicular anisotropy the effect is diminished as the number of layers increases. However, when a layer of graphene is added to the stack the perpendicular anisotropy increases up to two times for twelve to thirteen monolayers.*

INAC completed the calculations, which were confirmed by lab experiments at Institut Néel and UC Berkeley. The results could pave the way to high-density, low-power magnetic memory, two of the benefits of perpendicular anisotropy. Another potential application is spintronic oscillators for radiofrequency components. The researchers also plan to investigate other structures made from cobalt monolayers plus a graphene layer, which, when stacked several layers high, could produce record levels of anisotropy.

*Research conducted under the EU Graphene Flagship project

Contact: mair.chshiev@cea.fr

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