Tailoring the exchange bias via shape anisotropy in ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic exchange-coupled systems.

Journal Article · Wed Jun 11 04:00:00 EDT 2003 · Phys. Rev. B

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.67.220406· OSTI ID:961173

Hoffmann, A; Grimsditch, M; Pearson, J E; Nogues, J; Macedo, W A. A.; Schuller, I K

The magnetic behavior of Fe lines on top of a continuous FeF{sub 2} antiferromagnetic layer was investigated as a function of the orientation of the lines with respect to the applied magnetic field and a unidirectional anisotropy established by field cooling. The orientational dependence of the asymmetric loop shift, called exchange bias, shows that the competition between shape and unidirectional anisotropies modifies the exchange bias and the coercivity. Remarkably, in certain cases, exchange bias can be observed even when the applied field is perpendicular to the unidirectional anisotropy. Numerical simulations with a coherent rotation model illustrate a rich phase diagram, which originates from the noncollinearity of the involved anisotropies. Using this phase diagram, exchange bias and coercivity can be predictably tailored. In particular, different preferred magnetization directions can be designed in separately patterned structures of the same sample with identical preparation and magnetic history.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC; FOR
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 961173
• Report Number(s): ANL/MSD/JA-45262
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. B, Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B Journal Issue: 22 ; Jun. 11, 2003 Vol. 67; ISSN 1098-0121
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ANISOTROPY
ANTIFERROMAGNETISM
FERROMAGNETISM
IRON
IRON FLUORIDES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIZATION
PHASE DIAGRAMS
SHAPE