AFM-DMS
Strain-resistance effect of metallic sensor layers in antiferromagnetic state

The piezoresistive effect enables highly sensitive sensors for mechanical quantities such as elongation, force and pressure. Known materials are semiconductors and granular metals, in which the band gap or the electron tunneling allows the sensor effect. But there is another material class that is still little researched for this sensor technology: antiferromagnetic metals such as chromium. In them, external mechanical influences influence the magnetic structure, which in turn changes the electrical resistance of the material. This results in high sensitivities of these well-conductive and robust metallic layers. After we have already investigated this effect for chromium thin films, in the current research project we extend the material range to other metal alloys, investigate the sensitivity, their temperature dependence from the cryo- to high-temperature range, and their stability.

problem

Antiferromagnetic metals have been known for many decades. Chromium in particular has been extensively researched as a model system for spin density wave antiferromagnetism. However, the investigation and application as piezoresistive sensor material is still young and still raises many open questions: How robust are the corresponding thin films? What do temperature dependencies look like and how can they be influenced, for example by a changed composition and structure? Which other antiferromagnetic metals have similar effects?

objective

The basic project investigates which antiferromagnetic materials have a piezoresistive effect and how it is designed in detail. In addition, with a view to the application, some promising materials are selected with which sensors are set up and characterized.

approach

By means of sputter deposition, various Cr and Mn alloys are deposited as thin layers in reactive and co-sputter processes. Structure and composition are systematically varied using the deposition parameters. By means of laser ablation by a picosecond laser, various measurement structures are flexibly generated. Samples with glass substrate are characterized up to high temperatures in terms of electrical properties and piezoresistive effect. Ceramic and insulated steel measuring bodies are also coated, structured and constructed into sensors to investigate the piezoresistive effect at high and cryogenic temperatures. Structure and composition of the layers are analyzed using analytics such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).

Contact person: Dr. Silvan Schwebke
Project management: Prof. Dr. Günter Schultes
Duration: 15.01.2020 – 30.09.2022
Funded by: DFG