Polarized-neutron-reflectivity confirmation of 90{degree} magnetic structure in Fe/Cr(001) superlattices

Journal Article · Wed Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 1996 · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.53.2474· OSTI ID:278699

Adenwalla, S; Felcher, G P; Fullerton, E E; Bader, S D ^[1]

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

Polarized-neutron reflectivity together with magnetization and magnetotransport measurements on a (001)-oriented [Fe(14 A)/Cr(74 A)]{sub 20} superlattice confirms the existence of 90{degree} alignment of adjacent Fe layers due to biquadratic interlayer coupling. Each Fe layer is in a single domain state and the magnetic structure is coherent throughout the layered stack. The biquadratic coupling, however, is suppressed below the Cr N{acute e}el temperature ({ital T}{sub {ital N}}=187 K) as the Fe layers uncouple. But by field cooling through {ital T}{sub {ital N}} it is possible to retain a metastable biquadratic arrangement. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 278699
• Journal Information: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 53; ISSN PRBMDO; ISSN 0163-1829
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CHROMIUM
EPITAXY
INTERFACES
IRON
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MAGNETIC SURFACES
MAGNETIZATION
MAGNETORESISTANCE
NEEL TEMPERATURE
NEUTRONS
POLARIZED BEAMS
REFLECTIVITY
SUPERLATTICES
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0000-0013 K
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0013-0065 K
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0065-0273 K
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0273-0400 K