Lateral Modulation of Magnetic Anisotropy in Tricolor 3d–5d Oxide Superlattices

Manipulating magnetic anisotropy (MA) purposefully in transition metal oxides (TMOs) enables the development of oxide-based spintronic devices with practical applications. Here, we report a pathway to reversibly switch lateral easy-axis via interfacial oxygen octahedral coupling (OOC) effects 3d-5d tricolor superlattices, i.e. [SrIrO3,mRTiO3,SrIrO3,2La0.67Sr0.33MnO3]10 (RTiO3: SrTiO3 and CaTiO3). In heterostructures, energy (MAE) is enhanced over one magnitude ~106 erg/cm3 compared La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 films. Moreover, reoriented between (100)- (110)-directions by changing RTiO3. Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, find that SrIrO3 owns large single-ion due its strong spin-orbit interaction. This can be controlled OOC, then reorient superlattices. Additionally, it enlarges MAE films cooperation robust orbital hybridization Ir Mn atoms. Our results indicate superlattices consisting 3d 5d provide powerful platform study MA develop devices.