Direct experimental study of the magnetization reversal process in epitaxial and polycrystalline films with unidirectional anisotropy

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.367663· OSTI ID:627984

Nikitenko, V I; Gornakov, V S; Dedukh, L M; Kabanov, Y P; Khapikov, A F ^[1]; Shapiro, A J; Shull, R D ^[2]; Chaiken, A; Michel, R P ^[3]

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1. Institute of Solid State Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow District142432 (Russia)
2. Metallurgy Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland20899 (United States)
3. Materials Science and Technology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Livermore, California94551 (United States)

Direct observation of the magnetization reversal of epitaxial NiO/NiFe bilayers grown on (001) MgO and on polycrystalline Si substrates was performed by using the magneto-optical indicator film technique. It was shown that the unidirectional-axis magnetization reversal proceeds by domain nucleation and growth. A new phenomenon, an asymmetry in the activity of the domain nucleation centers, has been revealed. Remagnetization of the bilayer is shown to be governed by defect structures in the {ital antiferromagnetic} layer. {copyright} {ital 1998 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 627984
• Report Number(s): CONF-980102--
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 83; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ANTIFERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
DOMAIN STRUCTURE
IRON ALLOYS
MAGNETIZATION
MAGNETO-OPTICAL EFFECTS
NICKEL ALLOYS
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
NICKEL OXIDES
THIN FILMS