Graphene mediated domain formation in exchange coupled graphene/Co3O4(111)/Co(0001) trilayers

J Phys Condens Matter. 2013 Nov 27;25(47):472203. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/25/47/472203. Epub 2013 Oct 24.

Abstract

Graphene grown directly on Co3O4(111)/Co(0001) by molecular beam epitaxy exhibits extrinsic p-type doping, as demonstrated by photoemission and conductivity measurements. Trilayer heterostructures of graphene/Co3O4(111)/Co(0001) reveal an unconventional magneto-optical Kerr hysteresis with vanishing remanence for temperatures up to 400 K. Magnetic force microscopy measurements demonstrate that the vanishing remanence is due to a complex domain state, indicating substrate-induced graphene spin polarization. The domain formation of the Co magnetization is in strong contrast to the magnetic behavior of Co in Co/Co3O4 bilayers. This suggests that the Co3O4 interlayer mediates the variable Co magnetization and induced graphene spin polarization, with possible retroaction of graphene on the Co film.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.