Exchange bias in Fe/Cr double superlattices

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2000 · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, Vacuum, Surfaces and Films

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.582337· OSTI ID:20217050

Jiang, J S ^[1]; Felcher, G P ^[1]; Inomata, A ^[1]; Goyette, R ^[1]; Nelson, C S ^[1]; Bader, S D ^[1]

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1. Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States)

Utilizing the oscillatory interlayer exchange coupling in Fe/Cr superlattices, we have constructed ''double superlattice'' structures where a ferromagnetic (F) and an antiferromagnetic (AF) Fe/Cr superlattice are coupled through a Cr spacer. The minor hysteresis loops in the magnetization are shifted from zero field, i.e., the F superlattice is exchange biased by the AF one. The double superlattices are sputter deposited with (211) epitaxy and possess uniaxial in-plane magnetic anisotropy. The magnitude of the bias field is satisfactorily described by the classic formula for collinear spin structures. The coherent structure and insensitivity to atomic-scale roughness makes it possible to determine the spin distribution by polarized neutron reflectivity, which confirms that the spin structure is collinear. The magnetic reversal behavior of the double superlattices suggests that a realistic model of exchange bias needs to address the process of nucleating local reverse domains. (c) 2000 American Vacuum Society.

• OSTI ID: 20217050
• Journal Information: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, Vacuum, Surfaces and Films, Vol. 18, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Jul 2000; ISSN 0734-2101
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
IRON
CHROMIUM
SUPERLATTICES
EXCHANGE INTERACTIONS
FERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
ANTIFERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
MAGNETIZATION
HYSTERESIS
NEUTRON DIFFRACTION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA