Magnetic anisotropy in metallic ultrathin films and related experiments on cobalt films (invited)

Journal Article · Tue Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1988 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.342243· OSTI ID:7017113

Chappert, C; Bruno, P

We present experimental and theoretical investigations on the magnetic anisotropy of Co ultrathin films sandwiched by Au. Ferromagnetic resonance experiments revealed the presence of a large perpendicular surface anisotropy that makes the easy magnetization direction become perpendicular to the film plane for Co thicknesses lower than 11 A, as is observed in magnetization measurements. In order to explain this surface anisotropy, we propose various models, taking into account the imperfections of the films. For thicknesses below 11 A, there is a large increase of the coercive field with decreasing thickness. This effect is tentatively interpreted in a model of propagating Bloch walls, where the interfacial roughness plays an important role.

• Research Organization: Institut d'Electronique Fondamentale, CNRS UA 22, Universite Paris-Sud, F-91405 Orsay Cedex, France
• OSTI ID: 7017113
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 64:10; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
COBALT
COPPER
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
ELEMENTS
FERROMAGNETIC RESONANCE
FILMS
GOLD
INTERFACES
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
METALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RESONANCE
ROUGHNESS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SYNTHESIS
THIN FILMS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS