具有垂直各向异性(Pt/Co)n/FeMn多层膜的交换偏置

采用磁控溅射方法制备了以Pt为缓冲层和保护层的具有垂直各向异性(Pt/Co)_n/ FeMn多层膜.研究结果表明，多层膜的垂直交换偏置场H_ex和反铁磁层厚度的关 系与其具有平面各向异性的交换偏置场随反铁磁层厚度变化趋势相近.随着铁磁层调制周期 数的增加，垂直交换偏置场H_ex相应减小，并且与铁磁层的调制周期数近似成反 比关系.(Pt/Co)₃/FeMn的垂直交换偏置场H_ex已经达到22.3kA/m.为 关键词： 交换偏置 垂直各向异性 多层膜     

Out-of-plane exchange bias and magnetic anisotropy in MnPd/Co multilayers

Magnetic and structural properties in [MnPd/Co]₁₀ multilayers deposited onto Si(1 1 1) substrates have been investigated. The dependences of anisotropy and exchange bias on the thicknesses of both MnPd and Co layers have been studied. In most of the samples, the out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy and both large out-of-plane and in-plane exchange biases have been observed at cryogenic temperature below the blocking temperature T_B≈240 K. With appropriate MnPd and Co thicknesses, we have obtained samples with a large out-of-plane exchange bias along with a large out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy. The origin of the out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy in the samples has been suggested to be due to the formation of CoPd interfacial alloys which have tensile in-plane strains, while the spin structure of the antiferromagnetic layer at the interface which is believed to be responsible for exchange bias may be the same as that of the bulk material. Also, the present study shows that the interplay between the out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy and exchange bias is evident in our multilayers and plays an important role in the out-of-plane exchange-bias mechanism.     

Large spontaneous Hall angle in [Co,CoFe/Pt] multilayer

We have quantitatively investigated the Hall effect in [Co, CoFe/Pt] multilayer films. The [Co, CoFe/Pt] multilayers exhibit large spontaneous Hall resistivity (ρ_H) and Hall angle (ρ_H/ρ). Even though the Hall resistivity in [Co, CoFe/Pt] multilayer films (2.7–4 × 10⁻⁷ Ω cm) is smaller than that of amorphous RE–TM alloy films which show large spontaneous Hall resistivity (<2 × 10⁻⁶ Ω cm), the Hall angle of multilayer (6–8%) is almost twice than that in amorphous rare earth–transition metal alloy films (∼3%). The Hall angle provides evidence of the effects of the exchange interaction of the Hall scattering. The exchange is between conduction electron spins and the localized spins of the transition metal. The large Hall angle of [Co, CoFe/Pt] multilayer can be considered due to the high spin polarization and high Curie temperature of Co and CoFe transition metal layers. Even though the role of interfaces and surfaces in the magnetic properties of multilayer films may dominate that of the bulk, the Hall effects in [Co, CoFe/Pt] multilayer may be mainly dominated by the bulk effect.     

Oscillatory interlayer exchange coupling and its temperature dependence in [Pt/Co]3/NiO/[Co/Pt]3 multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy

Interlayer exchange coupling that oscillates between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic as a function of NiO thickness has been observed in [Pt(5 A)/Co(4 A)](3)/NiO(t(NiO) A)/[Co(4 A)/Pt(5 A)](3) multilayers with out-of-plane anisotropy. The period of oscillation corresponds to approximately 2 monolayers of NiO. This oscillatory behavior is possibly attributed to the antiferromagnetic ordering in NiO. The antiferromagnetic interlayer exchange coupling for the 11 A NiO layer shows an increase in coupling strength with increasing temperature, in agreement with the quantum interference model of Bruno for insulating spacer layers. A coexistence of exchange biasing and antiferromagnetic interlayer exchange coupling has been observed below T=250 K.     

Multiple antiferromagnet/ferromagnet interfaces as a probe of grain-size-dependent exchange bias in polycrystalline Co/Fe50Mn50

We have used ferromagnet/antiferromagnet/ferromagnet trilayers and ferromagnet/antiferromagnet multilayers to probe the grain size dependence of exchange bias in polycrystalline Co/Fe₅₀Mn₅₀. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy show that the Fe₅₀Mn₅₀ (FeMn) grain size increases with increasing FeMn thickness in the Co (30 Å)/FeMn system. Hence, in Co(30 Å)/FeMn(t_AF Å)/Co(30 Å) trilayers the two Co layers sample different FeMn grain sizes at the two antiferromagnet/ferromagnet interfaces. For FeMn thicknesses above 100 Å, where simple bilayers have a thickness-independent exchange bias, we are therefore able to deduce the influence of FeMn grain size on the exchange bias and coercivity (and their temperature dependence) simply by measuring trilayer and multilayer samples with varying FeMn thicknesses. This can be done while maintaining the (1 1 1) orientation, and with little variation in interface roughness. Increasing the average grain size from 90 to 135 Å results in a fourfold decrease in exchange bias, following an inverse grain size dependence. We interpret the results as being due to a decrease in uncompensated spin density with increasing antiferromagnet grain size, further evidence for the importance of defect-generated uncompensated spins.     

Magnetization reversal in perpendicular exchange-biased multilayers

Co/Pt multilayers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exhibit an exchange bias when covered with an IrMn layer. The exchange bias field, which is about 7 mT for 3 Co/Pt bilayer repetitions and a Co layer thickness of 5 Å, can be increased up to 16.5 mT by the insertion of a thin Pt layer at the Co/IrMn interface. The interfacial magnetic anisotropy of the Co/IrMn interface (KSCo/IrMn =-0.09 mJ/m2) favours in-plane magnetization and tends to tilt the Co spins away from the film normal. Dynamical measurements of the magnetization reversal process reveal that both thermally activated spin reversal in the IrMn layer and domain wall nucleation in the Co/Pt multilayer influence the interfacial spin structure and therefore the strength of the perpendicular exchange bias field.     

The effects of Co-metal clusters on exchange bias for Co-doped NiO/FeNi bilayers

Co-doped NiO inhomogeneous films were synthesized by sputtering metallic Co chips and NiO together and the exchange bias of bilayers Co-doped NiO/FeNi was investigated. When Co content was up to 25.2%, the exchange bias field H_E at the room temperature increased to the maximum which was about three times compared to the undoped-bilayers. With further increase of Co content, the exchange bias field H_E and blocking temperature T_B decreased. Analysis suggests that the configuration of nanometer-sized Co-metal clusters enchased into NiO matrix played an important role in the change of magnetic behavior for the bilayers.     

Domain size and structure in exchange coupled [Co/Pt]/NiO/[Co/Pt] multilayers

We investigate the competing effects of interlayer exchange coupling and magnetostatic coupling in the magnetic heterostructure ([Co/Pt]/NiO/[Co/Pt]) with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). This particular heterostructure is unique among coupled materials with PMA in directly exhibiting both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic coupling, oscillating between the two as a function of spacer layer thickness. By systematically tuning the coupling interactions via a wedge-shaped NiO spacer layer, we explore the energetics that dictate magnetic domain formation using high resolution magnetic force microscopy coupled with the magneto-optical Kerr effect. This technique probes the microscopic and macroscopic magnetic behavior as a continuous function of thickness and the interlayer exchange coupling, including the regions where interlayer coupling goes through zero. We see significant changes in domain structure based on the sign of coupling, and also show that magnetic domain size is directly related to the magnitude of the interlayer exchange coupling energy, which generally dominates over the magnetostatic interactions. When magnetostatic interactions become comparable to the interlayer exchange coupling, a delicate interplay between the differing energy contributions is apparent and energy scales are extracted. The results are of intense interest to the magnetic recording industry and also illustrate a relatively new avenue of undiscovered physics, primarily dealing with the delicate balance of energies in the formation of magnetic domains for coupled systems with PMA, defining limits on domain size as well as the interplay between roughness, domains and magnetic coupling.     

Investigation of ferromagnetic coupling between Co layers in a Co/Pt multilayer with perpendicular anisotropy

The coercivity of a Co/Pt multilayer with out-of-plane anisotropy can be lowered greatly if it is grown onto an ultrathin NiO underlayer . By making use of this characteristic, a series of samples glass/NiO(10 Å)/[Co(4 Å)/Pt(5 Å)]₃/Pt(x Å)/[Co(4 Å)/Pt(5 Å)]₃ with different Pt spacer thickness have been prepared to determine the ferromagnetic (FM) coupling between Co layers across the Pt layer. The measurements of major and minor hysteresis loops have shown that the FM coupling between the top and bottom Co/Pt multilayers decreases monotonically with the Pt layer thickness and disappears above the Pt layer thickness of 40 Å. This thickness of 40 Å is much larger than that in the literature. In addition to the FM coupling between the top and bottom Co/Pt multilayers across the Pt spacer, there exists a weak biquadratic coupling, which induces the broad transition of the bottom Co/Pt multilayer.     

MgO/Pt界面对增强Co/Ni多层膜垂直磁各向异性及热稳定性的研究

采用直流磁控溅射法在玻璃基片上制备了Pt底层和MgO/Pt双底层的Co/Ni多层膜样品, 通过反常霍尔效应研究了不同MgO厚度和退火温度对样品垂直磁各向异性(perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, PMA)的影响. 随着底层中MgO厚度的逐渐增加, 样品的矫顽力也随之增强, 霍尔电阻变化不大; 对样品进行退火处理后发现, 单纯Pt底层的Co/Ni多层膜随着退火温度的升高, 霍尔电阻逐渐降低, 矫顽力则迅速降低, 热稳定性较差; 而当MgO/Pt双底层的样品在200 ℃退火后矫顽力大幅增加, 霍尔电阻略微有所减小, 更高的退火温度使得Co和Ni合金化, 导致多层膜的PMA特征减弱.     

In-plane magnetic pattern separation in NiFe/NiO and Co/NiO exchange biased bilayers investigated by magnetic force microscopy

Ion bombardment induced magnetic patterning (IBMP) was used to write in-plane magnetized micro and submicron patterns in exchange biased magnetic bilayers, where the magnetization directions of the adjacent patterns are antiparallel to each other in remanence. These magnetic patterns were investigated by non-contact magnetic force microscopy (MFM). It is shown that the recorded MFM images of the IBMP patterns in two exemplarily chosen standard layer systems (NiFe (4.8 nm)/NiO (68 nm) and Co (4.8 nm)/NiO (68 nm)) can be well described by a model within the point-dipole approximation for the tip magnetization. For 5 and 0.9 μm wide bar patterns the domain wall widths between adjacent magnetically patterned areas were determined to a≈1 μm. The minimum magnetically stable pattern width was estimated to be 0.7 μm in the standard system Co (4.8 nm)/NiO (68 nm).     

Exchange bias and blocking temperature in Co/FeMn/CuNi trilayers

Aspects of exchange bias between antiferromagnets and ferromagnets remain unclear despite recent research. An outstanding issue is the relationship between exchange bias and enhanced coercivity in the ferromagnetic layer. This Letter reports the unexpected finding that a substantial exchange bias can be generated between an antiferromagnet (FeMn) with a higher ordering temperature than that of the ferromagnet (CuNi). We interpret the result in terms of a temperature-dependent competition between interfacial exchange and antiferromagnet anisotropy energies. Crossover of these energies during cooling is responsible for the onset of exchange bias at the blocking temperature.     

Exchange couplings in magnetic films

Recent advances in the study of exchange couplings in magnetic films are introduced.To provide a comprehensive understanding of exchange coupling,we have designed different bilayers,trilayers and multilayers,such as anisotropic hard/soft-magnetic multilayer films,ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic trilayers,[Pt/Co]/NiFe/NiO heterostructures,Co/NiO and Co/NiO/Fe trilayers on an anodic aluminum oxide(AAO) template.The exchange-coupling interaction between soft-and hard-magnetic phases,interlayer and interfacial exchange couplings and magnetic and magnetotransport properties in these magnetic films have been investigated in detail by adjusting the magnetic anisotropy of ferromagnetic layers and by changing the thickness of the spacer layer,ferromagnetic layer,and antiferromagnetic layer.Some particular physical phenomena have been observed and explained.     

多层膜［Co85Cr15/Pt］20的磁性、垂直磁记录特性和微结构的关系

采用磁控溅射法制备了性能优良的以Pt为缓冲层的［Co85₈₅Cr15_{15/Pt］2020 多层膜，研究了溅射气压对［Co8585Cr1515/Pt］2020多层膜微结构和磁性的 影响.研究结果表明，Ar溅射气压对［Co8585Cr1515/Pt］2020多层膜的微结构 、垂直磁各向异性和矫顽力有重要的影响 关键词： 溅射气压 多层膜 垂直磁各向异性 有效磁各向异性常数}     

The influence of finite size and shape anisotropy on exchange bias: A study of patterned Co/CoO nanostructures

The influence of finite dimensions on the exchange bias effect in patterned polycrystalline Co/CoO ferromagnet/antiferromagnet exchange bias systems was studied. Magnetization measurements on the smallest structures reveal that the exchange bias shift increases as the structure size becomes smaller. Off-specular neutron scattering experiments were used to study the asymmetric magnetization reversal behaviour.     

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis in Pt/Co/MgO(001) epitaxial thin films

The self-propagating high-temperature synthesis in the two-layer and multilayer Pt/Co(001) thin films has been investigated. It is shown that the initiation of the synthesis occurs at temperatures of 770–820 K. After the synthesis in the two-layer film samples, the PtCo(001) disordered phase exhibits an epitaxial growth at the interface between cobalt and platinum layers. In the multilayer Pt/Co(001) thin films, the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis also brings about the formation of the PtCo(001) disordered phase on the MgO(001) surface. Further annealing at a temperature of 870 K for 4 h results in the transition of the PtCo(001) disordered phase to the ordered phase. Rapid thermal annealing of the Pt/Co(001) multilayer films at a temperature of 1000 K leads to the formation of the CoPt₃ phase. The magnetic characteristics change in accord with the structural transformations in Pt/Co film samples.     

Creation of an antiferromagnetic exchange spring

We present evidence for the creation of an exchange spring in an antiferromagnet due to exchange coupling to a ferromagnet. X-ray magnetic linear dichroism spectroscopy on single crystal Co/NiO(001) shows that a partial domain wall is wound up at the surface of the antiferromagnet when the adjacent ferromagnet is rotated by a magnetic field. We determine the interface exchange stiffness and the antiferromagnetic domain wall energy from the field dependence of the direction of the antiferromagnetic axis, the antiferromagnetic pendant to a ferromagnetic hysteresis loop. The existence of a planar antiferromagnetic domain wall, proven by our measurement, is a key assumption of most exchange bias models.     

Perpendicular interlayer coupling in Ni80Fe20/NiO/Co trilayers

An in-plane perpendicular magnetic coupling between Ni80Fe20 and Co has been found in NiFe/NiO/Co trilayers for a NiO thickness ranging from 4 to 25 nm by magneto-optical Kerr effect and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements. In the easy magnetization direction of the Co layer, the Co coercive field H(C) increases when the thickness of the NiO layer t(NiO) increases. Because of the coupling, H(C) is always larger than for NiO/Co bilayers with the same thicknesses. The saturation field of the NiFe layer H(S) decreases when t(NiO) increases, indicating a weakening of the coupling. Numerical simulations show that the presence of interface roughness combined with a small value of the NiO anisotropy can explain the observed 90 degrees coupling.     

Magnetic remanent states in antiferromagnetically coupled multilayers

In antiferromagnetically coupled multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy unusual multidomain textures can be stabilized due to a close competition between long-range demagnetization fields and short-range interlayer exchange coupling. In particular, the formation and evolution of specific topologically stable planar defects within the antiferromagnetic ground state, i.e. wall-like structures with a ferromagnetic configuration extended over a finite width, explain configurational hysteresis phenomena recently observed in [Co/Pt(Pd)]/Ru and [Co/Pt]/NiO multilayers. Within a phenomenological theory, we have analytically derived the equilibrium sizes of these “ferroband” defects as functions of the antiferromagnetic exchange, a bias magnetic field, and geometrical parameters of the multilayers. In the magnetic phase diagram, the existence region of the ferrobands mediates between the regions of patterns with sharp antiferromagnetic domain walls and regular arrays of ferromagnetic stripes. The theoretical results are supported by magnetic force microscopy images of the remanent states observed in [Co/Pt]/Ru.     

Field cooling induced changes in the antiferromagnetic structure of NiO films

The magnetic anisotropy in antiferromagnetic 500 A thick NiO films, before and after the establishment of an exchange bias field with Co84Fe16 ferromagnetic layers, was measured using magnetic linear dichroism in soft x-ray absorption. Both <111> textured NiO and untextured NiO films show exchange-bias induced in-plane magnetic anisotropy of nearly equal magnitude and with the Ni moment axis being nearly parallel to the exchange bias field direction. These results represent the first observation of the key step in the exchange biasing process, namely, repopulation of the antiferromagnetic domains whose magnetization axis is closest to the exchange bias field direction.