Evidence for single variant in altermagnetic RuO₂(101) thin films.

ABSTRACT: Altermagnetism presents intriguing possibilities for spintronic devices due to its unique combination of strong spin-splitting and zero net magnetization. However, realizing its full potential hinges on fabricating single-variant altermagnetic thin films. In this work, we present definitive evidence for formation of single-variant altermagnetic RuO₂(101) thin films with fully epitaxial growth on Al₂O₃(1 1¯ 02) r-plane substrates, confirmed through rigorous structural analyses using X-ray diffraction, atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray magnetic linear dichroism. The mutual correspondence of the occupancy of oxygen atoms on the surfaces of RuO₂(101)[010] and Al₂O₃(1 1¯ 02)[11 2¯ 0] plays a decisive ro

SUBMITTER: He C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12460620 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature