Epitaxial ferromagnetic MnGa/NiGa multilayers on GaAs

We have created a new class of epitaxial magnetic multilayers consisting of ultrathin monocrystalline layers of two different metallic compounds, MnGa and NiGa, on GaAs substrates. In-situ RHEED and ex-situ TEM characterizations show that the MnGa/NiGa multilayers are formed with the desired epitaxial orientations. Magnetization and magnetotransport measurements indicate perpendicular magnetization at room temperature, thus making this material a promising candidate for nonvolatile magnetic memory coupled with underlying III–V circuitry.