Magneto-electric coupling in antiferromagnet/ferroelectric Mn₂Au/BaTiO₃ interface

Within the crucial issue of the electric field control of magnetism, the use of antiferromagnets (AFMs) coupled to ferroelectrics is much less explored than the ferromagnets counterpart, although the first choice might lead to better performances and larger stability with respect to external perturbations (such as magnetic fields). Here, we explore the possibility to control the magnetic anisotropy of a Mn₂Au layer by reversing the ferroelectric polarization of BaTiO₃ in Mn₂Au/BaTiO₃ interfaces. By means of a thorough exploration of many possible geometry configurations, we identify the two most stable, corresponding to compressive and tensile strain at the interface. The first appears to be easy-axis, while the second—easy-plane—with a large induced moment on the interface Ti atom. The reversal of ferroelectric polarization changes the anisotropy by approximately 50%, thus paving the way to the control of AFM properties with an electric field.