Magnetization process in epitaxial Fe$_{85}$Co$_{15}$ thin films via anisotropic magnetoresistance

Abstract: The effects of the crystalline symmetry on the magnetotransport properties in ferromagnetic alloys are being reexamined in recent years particularly due to the role of the anisotropic magnetoresistance on the electrical detection of magnetization dynamics, which is relevant to estimate spin transport parameters such as the spin Hall angle or the damping constant. In this work we investigated the crystalline dependent anisotropic magnetoresistance in epitaxial Fe85Co15 films and discuss the magnetization process through the magnetotransport properties by varying the relative orientations between the electric current, the external magnetic field and the Fe85Co15 crystallographic directions. We have found that the anisotropic magnetoresistance ratio depends on the current direction with respect to the crystal axes of Fe85Co15 and determine a ratio of 0.20 % and 0.17 % when the current is applied along the [110] hard and [100] easy axes, respectively. We fit our experimental data using the Stoner-Wohlfarth model to describe the path followed by the magnetization during the magnetization process and to extract the anisotropy constants. The fitted cubic and uniaxial anisotropy constants are Kc = 21 kJ/m3 and Ku = 11 kJ/m3, which are comparable with reported values from the angular variation of ferromagnetic resonance experiments. Our results contribute to the understanding of the interplay between the crystalline structure and the magnetotransport properties of FeCo alloys.