Probing ultraweak in-plane magnetic anisotropy within a two-dimensional layered antiferromagnet.

ABSTRACT: Magnetic anisotropy plays a crucial role in determining the critical behavior and phase transitions in two-dimensional magnetic systems. It is also required for the design of thin-film spintronic devices. Despite its significance, sensing extremely weak anisotropy has proven challenging in van der Waals antiferromagnetic/ferrimagnetic materials. Here, we first employ simulations of micromagnetic energy function in few-layer easy-plane antiferromagnetic systems with a weak additional uniaxial anisotropy and unveil an intriguing even-odd effect closely linked to low-field spin-flop behaviors. We further perform tunneling magneto-conductance measurements on a model 2D antiferromagnetic insulator, CrCl₃, exhibiting near-ideal easy-plane anisotropy. The magnetic field-controlled tunn

SUBMITTER: Fan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12012532 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature