Exchange bias (EB) is usually observed in systems with an interface between different magnetic phases after field cooling. Here we report an unusual phenomenon in which a large EB can be observed in Ni-Mn-In bulk alloys after zero-field cooling from an unmagnetized state. We propose that this is related to the newly formed interface between different magnetic phases during the initial magnetization process. The magnetic unidirectional anisotropy, which is the origin of the EB effect, can be created isothermally below the blocking temperature.

Transition metal oxides have a range of unique properties due to coupling of charge, spin, orbital and lattice degrees of freedom and nearly degenerate multiple ground states. These properties make them interesting for applications and for fundamental investigations. Here we report a new phase with abnormal transport anisotropy in La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO3 ultra-thin films under large tensile strain. This anisotropy is absent in films under smaller tensile strain or compressive strain. Furthermore, thickness and magnetic-field-dependent experiments suggest that the tensile-strain-induced two-dimensional character is crucial for the observed phenomena. X-ray absorption spectroscopy results indicate that this anisotropy is likely driven by O 2p orbital, which hybridizes with Mn 3d. Ab initio calculations confirm this result. Our results may help to understand the anisotropic transport behaviour observed in other systems.

We investigate spin-current transport with an antiferromagnetic insulator NiO thin layer by means of the spin-Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) over a wide range of temperature in Pt/NiO/Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ (Pt/NiO/YIG) heterostructures. The SMR signal is comparable to that without the NiO layer as long as the temperature is near or above the blocking temperature of the NiO, indicating that the magnetic fluctuation of the insulating NiO is essential for transmitting the spin current from the Pt to YIG layer. On the other hand, the SMR signal becomes negligibly small at low temperature, and both conventional anisotropic magnetoresistance and the anomalous Hall resistance are extremely small at any temperature, implying that the insertion of the NiO has completely suppressed the Pt magnetization induced by the YIG magnetic proximity effect (MPE). The dual roles of the thin NiO layer are, to suppress the magnetic interaction or MPE between Pt and YIG, and to maintain efficient spin current transmission at high temperature.

The magneto-mechanical coupling effect of amorphous Co₄₀Fe₄₀B₂₀ (CoFeB) films (10-200 nm) on flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrates were investigated in detail. The normalized remanent magnetization (M_r/M_s) of CoFeB films changes significantly (up to 62%) under small tensile or compressive strain. Moreover, the thickness dependence of the magneto-mechanical coupling effect for the flexible CoFeB films was demonstrated. These results provide important information for the development of CoFeB-based magnetic tunnel junction used in flexible spintronic devices.

Magnetostrictive FeGa thin films were deposited on the bowed flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates, which were fixed on the convex mold. A compressive stress was induced in FeGa films when the PET substrates were shaped from convex to flat. Due to the effect of magnetostriction, FeGa films exhibit an obvious in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy which could be enhanced by increasing the applied pre-strains on the substrates during growth. Consequently, the ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the films was significantly increased, but the corresponding initial permeability was decreased. Moreover, the films with pre-strains less than 0.78% exhibit a working bandwidth of microwave absorption about 2 GHz. Our investigations demonstrated a convenient method via the pre-strained substrates to tune the high frequency properties of magnetic thin films which could be applied in flexible microwave devices.