Effect of metal-to-metal interface states on the electric-field modified magnetic anisotropy in MgO/Fe/non-magnetic metal

The impact of metal-to-metal interface on electric-field modified magnetic anisotropy in MgO/Fe/non-magnetic metal (Ta, Pt, Au) is revealed by density functional calculations. We demonstrate that the contribution from the metal-to-metal interface can be strong enough to dominate the electric field effect on magnetic anisotropy of Fe/MgO-based films, and the strain could also effectively tune the electric field effect. By analyzing the interface states by density of states and band structures, the dependence of the magnetoelectric effect on metal-to-metal interface is elucidated. These results are of considerable interest in the area of electric field controlled magnetic anisotropy and switching.