Figure 4. Modelling of the multiple-stable states.

(a) Schematics of setting the multiple-stable states, each with a distinct domain distribution, by the heat-assisted magneto-recording across the Néel temperature. The colour of the domains after the field-cooling indicates the different Néel vector orientations in the various domains and uses the same colour coding as arrows in b. (b) Schematics of the orientation of the three in-plane easy axes in hexagonal α-MnTe with respect to the Mn atoms (purple circles) together with a sketch of the two antiferromagnetic spin sublattices M_1,2 which tend to align perpendicular to the applied magnetic field B and to cant towards the field. Black dashed lines indicate the easy axes orientations. (c) Modelling of the distribution of the three domains in the multiple-stable memory states and of the corresponding transverse AMR signal for different size of the domains. (d) Comparison of the model prediction (black line) and experimental dependence at 200 K (red) of the read-out AMR amplitude on the strength of the writing magnetic field.