Atomic-Scale Anisotropy Competition Drives Spin Reorientation in Intercalated 2D Ferromagnets.
- 1Department of Physics, National Central University, Taoyuan City 320317, Taiwan.
Abstract
Precise control over magnetic anisotropy (MA) in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals ferromagnets is essential for advancing next-generation spintronics; however, the atomic-scale mechanisms dictating intercalation-induced MA modulation remain largely unresolved. In this study, we elucidate the microscopic origins of the complex magnetic phase diagram in Cr-intercalated CrTe₂ by integrating layer-resolved density functional theory-based spin-orbit torque (DFT-SOT) calculations with micromagnetic simulations. We uncover a concealed source of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) localized within the intercalation layer, which directly competes with the robust surface-driven in-plane magnetic anisotropy (IMA). Macroscopically, this atomic-scale competition drives a thickness-dependent spin reorientation transition, wherein the volumetric accumulation of bulk-like PMA ultimately dominates over interfacial effects. Our findings propose a plausible microscopic framework for understanding the stoichiometry-dependent anisotropy in chromium chalcogenides, offering a promising theoretical perspective for exploring magnetic phases in 2D spintronic architectures.
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BibTeX
@article{tseng2026atomicscale,
title = {{Atomic-Scale Anisotropy Competition Drives Spin Reorientation in Intercalated 2D Ferromagnets.}},
author = {Yu-Sheng Tseng and Wan-Sheng Tang and Bao-Huei Huang and Yu-Hui Tang},
journal = {ACS nanoscience Au},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1021/acsnanoscienceau.6c00043},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42921335},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Atomic-Scale Anisotropy Competition Drives Spin Reorientation in Intercalated 2D Ferromagnets.
AU - Yu-Sheng Tseng
AU - Wan-Sheng Tang
AU - Bao-Huei Huang
AU - Yu-Hui Tang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/07
JO - ACS nanoscience Au
DO - 10.1021/acsnanoscienceau.6c00043
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42921335
AB - Precise control over magnetic anisotropy (MA) in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals ferromagnets is essential for advancing next-generation spintronics; however, the atomic-scale mechanisms dictating intercalation-induced MA modulation remain largely unresolved. In this study, we elucidate the microscopic origins of the complex magnetic phase diagram in Cr-intercalated CrTe₂ by integrating layer-resolved density functional theory-based spin-orbit torque (DFT-SOT) calculations with micromagnetic simulations. We uncover a concealed source of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) localized within the intercalation layer, which directly competes with the robust surface-driven in-plane magnetic anisotropy (IMA). Macroscopically, this atomic-scale competition drives a thickness-dependent spin reorientation transition, wherein the volumetric accumulation of bulk-like PMA ultimately dominates over interfacial effects. Our findings propose a plausible microscopic framework for understanding the stoichiometry-dependent anisotropy in chromium chalcogenides, offering a promising theoretical perspective for exploring magnetic phases in 2D spintronic architectures.
SN - 2694-2496
ER -