Strain-induced shape anisotropy in antiferromagnetic structures

We demonstrate how shape-dependent strain can be used to control antiferromagnetic order in NiO/Pt thin films. For rectangular elements patterned along the easy and hard magnetocrystalline anisotropy axes of our film, we observe different domain structures identify magnetoelastic interactions that are distinct for configurations. reproduce experimental observations by modeling interactions, considering spontaneous induced configuration, as well elastic due substrate shape patterns. This allows us explain variation aspect ratio ground-state configuration. Shape-dependent does not only need considered design devices, but potentially tailor their properties, providing an additional handle antiferromagnets.