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Two-dimensional gradients in magnetic properties created with direct-write laser annealing

Author

Listed:
  • Lauren J. Riddiford

    (Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Laboratory for Mesoscopic Systems
    PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences)

  • Jeffrey A. Brock

    (Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Laboratory for Mesoscopic Systems
    PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences
    University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Department of Physics and Energy Science)

  • Katarzyna Murawska

    (Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Laboratory for Mesoscopic Systems
    PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences)

  • Jacob Wisser

    (National Institute of Standards and Technology, Applied Physics Division)

  • Xiaochun Huang

    (PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences
    Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry)

  • Nick A. Shepelin

    (PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences)

  • Hans T. Nembach

    (National Institute of Standards and Technology, Applied Physics Division)

  • Aleš Hrabec

    (Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Laboratory for Mesoscopic Systems
    PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences)

  • Laura J. Heyderman

    (Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Laboratory for Mesoscopic Systems
    PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences)

Abstract

Across the fields of magnetism, microelectronics, optics, and others, engineered local variations in material properties can yield groundbreaking functionalities that play a crucial role in enabling future technologies. One-dimensional lateral gradients in material properties give rise to a plethora of new effects in thin-film magnetic systems. However, extending such gradient-induced behaviors to two dimensions has been challenging to realize experimentally. Here, we demonstrate the creation of two-dimensional complex patterns with continuous variations in magnetic anisotropy, interlayer exchange coupling, and ferrimagnetic compensation at the mesoscopic scale in numerous application-relevant magnetic materials. We exploit our engineered gradients in material properties to demonstrate novel magnetic functionalities, including the creation of a spin wave band pass filter and an architecture for passively resetting the position of a magnetic domain wall. Our results highlight the exciting new physics and device applications enabled by two-dimensional gradients in thin film properties.

Suggested Citation

  • Lauren J. Riddiford & Jeffrey A. Brock & Katarzyna Murawska & Jacob Wisser & Xiaochun Huang & Nick A. Shepelin & Hans T. Nembach & Aleš Hrabec & Laura J. Heyderman, 2025. "Two-dimensional gradients in magnetic properties created with direct-write laser annealing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-65921-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65921-7
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