Understanding of magnetic anisotropy and low damping of lithium aluminum spinel ferrite

Low damping magnetic insulators with predominantly perpendicular magnetic anisotropy have been identified as critical materials in advancing spintronics. Here, from ab initio, we have calculated basic electronic structure and magnetism, and developed a mechanism of understanding magnetic anisotropy and damping in recently identified Li_0.5Al_0.5Fe₂O₄. The results point out to the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy along with low magnetic damping. These properties open new possibilities and may play a key role in record low magnetization switching currents and high spin-orbit torque efficiencies as observed in recent experiments [1].





[1] X Y Zheng et al, Nature Communications, 14, 4918 (2023)