Introducing Built-in Strain in Materials for Tuning Functional Properties

Researchers at Osaka University have proposed a novel method to introduce built-in strain into nano-thin films deposited on flexible substrates. This innovative approach, detailed in a recent study, enables the tuning of functional properties in materials while expanding material selection options. By mechanically stretching the substrate during film deposition, a uniaxial compressive built-in strain is induced into the film, allowing for systematic modulation of in-plane magnetic anisotropy. The study has significant implications for spintronic device performance and strain-induced physical phenomena in functional materials.

Key Takeaways:

• The proposed method introduces built-in strain into nano-thin films deposited on flexible substrates using mechanical stretching of the substrate.
• This approach enables tuning of functional properties in materials while expanding material selection options.
• The study demonstrates systematic modulation of in-plane magnetic anisotropy as a function of the magnitude of the built-in strain.
• The proposed method was applied to tailor the magnetic anisotropy of Co and Ni thin films, resulting in a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) device with orthogonally aligned magnetizations.
• The GMR device exhibited a linear resistance response to external magnetic fields, a characteristic feature of GMR devices with orthogonal magnetization configurations.
• The study has significant implications for enhancing spintronic device performance and exploring strain-induced physical phenomena in functional materials.
• Funders for this research include Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Program for Leading Graduate School, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI), JST A-Step, Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT), and Spintronics Research Network of Japan.

Statistics:

• 2025: The year the research was conducted.
• 127(6): The Issue and Volume number of Applied Physics Letters where the study was published.
• 1305 Walt Whitman Rd, Ste 300, Melville, NY 11747-4501, USA: The contact information for Aip Publishing.
• Osaka University: The institution where the research was conducted.
• D. Chiba: The contact person for additional information.

Sources:

• NewsRx. New Applied Physics Study Findings Have Been Reported from Osaka University (Tailoring Magnetic Anisotropy Via Built-in Strain In Thin Films). Journal of Engineering. October 13, 2025; p 1582.
• Applied Physics Letters. Tailoring Magnetic Anisotropy Via Built-in Strain In Thin Films. Aip Publishing, 2025;127(6).