Metal rare-earth magnetic/nonmagnetic Ho/Y superlattice structures possess a coherent spin helix propagating through many superlattice layer repetitions. An external magnetic field applied in the film plane induces a nonzero average chirality of the helices. It is shown that the direction of the applied in-plane field can modify the value and sign of the chirality parameter γ. The dependence of γ on the relative angle of applied field during the field-cooling procedure has an oscillatory character and can be described by simple sinusoidal function with π periodicity. The experimental finding is discussed from the point of view of an interbalance between Zeeman energy, magnetocrystalline anisotropy, and induced uniaxial anisotropy.

Original languageEnglish
Article number014415
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume96
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 13 Jul 2017

    Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

ID: 86427399