Stability of ferrimagnetic multilayers

We study the field induced instability of the ground state of ferrimagnetic multilayers consisting of a stacking alternating two different uniaxial ferromagnetic layers. For multilayers with even number of layers N, we obtain analytical expressions for the critical fields in terms of the magnetic parameters (anisotropies, and interlayer exchange coupling), for any value of N. The critical fields are calculated from the energy fluctuations for small variations in the equilibrium magnetic profile. The form of the hysteresis curves is discussed, using the expressions of the critical fields.     

Numerical simulation of random magnetic anisotropy with solid magnetization grains

Random anisotropy model (RAM) was investigated by means of numerical simulation. Magnetization of magnetically interacting grains with randomly oriented uniaxial anisotropy was calculated using the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation where the magnetization in a particular grain is assumed to align in the same direction (single spin model). Calculations were carried out for 10×10×10 three dimensional cells changing cell sizes from 5 to 25 nm. The relation between coercive forces and grain sizes was obtained to be H_C∼D^5.7 from the simulated magnetization curves. This result fits the primitive theory H_C∼D⁶ and the experimental results.     

Computer simulation of magnetization relaxation in amorphous magnetics with random anisotropy

On the basis of Heisenberg model, the magnetic properties of amorphous terbium were studied by the Monte Carlo method. The temperature dependences of spontaneous magnetization and magnetic susceptibility were plotted as functions of the fraction of the constant of anisotropy to the exchange constant D/J ₀. The behavior of magnetization in an external magnetic field was studied, and the dependence of a coercive field and residual magnetization on the value D/J ₀ was found. The relaxation of magnetization was investigated after the external magnetic field was switched off.     

Influence of Pt thickness on magnetization reversal processes in (Pt/Co)3 multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy

We present a detailed study of the magnetization reversal in perpendicularly magnetized (Pt/Co)₃ multilayers with different values of the platinum interlayer thickness t_Pt. To study the magnetization reversal in our samples we combined measurements of relaxation curves with the direct visualization of domain structures. Magnetization reversal was dominated by domain wall propagation for t_Pt=1 nm and by domain nucleation for t_Pt=0.2 nm, while a mixed process was observed for t_Pt=0.8 nm. We interpret our results within the framework of a model of thermally activated reversal where a distribution of activation energy barriers is taken into account. The reversal process was correlated with the energy barrier distribution.     

Theory of first order magnetization processes: Uniaxial anisotropy

The first order magnetization process (FOMP) is associated with the irreversible rotation of the magnetization vector M_s between inequivalent states. The critical field H_cr and the amplitude ΔM of the jump observed in the direction parallel to the applied magnetic field are functions of the anisotropy constants of the crystal. A complete phenomenological analysis is given for the case of uniaxial anisotropy in terms of the first three anisotropy constants K₁, K₂ and K₃, as well as in terms of the anisotropy coefficients χ_2,0, χ_4,0, χ_6,0. Computer plots of the critical parameters and the magnetic phase diagram are given together with an analytical treatment of the problem. The results give a unified view of the FOMP in uniaxial crystals and provide a method for the accurate determination of the anisotropy constants at the temperatures where the phenomenon is present.     

Magnetic anisotropy in multilayers

Magnetic anisotropy between in-plane and out of plane magnetic alignments is studied in a variety of multilayer systems using Mössbauer spectrosopy to observe the (Fe) magnetic orientation. The surface anisotropy in Fe/Au (1 1 1) multilayers is measured as K _s = 0.9 × 10^?3 Jm^?2. In Fe/Ni multilayers the dependence of magnetic orientation on external field applied normal to the layers enables volume and interface anisotropies K _v = (?5 ± 1) × 10⁴ Jm^?3 and K _s = (?0.6 ± 0.4)× 10^?3 Jm^?2 to be evaluated. In similar applied field experiments coherent rotation of the magnetic Fe and NiFe layers in Fe/Cu/NiFe/Cu multilayers was observed for intervening Cu layer thickness x = 5 Å but independent rotation for x = 50 Å. Out of plane magnetic components are observed for DyFe₂, YFe₂ thin films and DyFe₂/YFe₂ multilayers. In fields of up to 0.25 T applied inplane only the moments of the YFe₂ film showed significant rotation.     

Subpicosecond magnetization reversal across ferrimagnetic compensation points

Subpicosecond magnetization reversal is experimentally demonstrated by ultrafast heating of a ferrimagnet across its compensation points, under an applied magnetic field. While the reversal is initiated by crossing the magnetization compensation temperature, the short reversal time is related to the angular momentum compensation, where the dynamics of the system is highly accelerated owing to the divergence of the gyromagnetic ratio. These results demonstrate the feasibility of subpicosecond magnetization reversal previously believed impossible.     

Antisymmetric magnetoresistance in magnetic multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy

While magnetoresistance (MR) has generally been found to be symmetric in applied field in nonmagnetic or magnetic metals, we have observed antisymmetric MR in Co/Pt multilayers. Simultaneous domain imaging and transport measurements show that the antisymmetric MR is due to the appearance of domain walls that run perpendicular to both the magnetization and the current, a geometry existing only in materials with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. As a result, the extraordinary Hall effect gives rise to circulating currents in the vicinity of the domain walls that contributes to the MR. The antisymmetric MR and extraordinary Hall effect have been quantitatively accounted for by a theoretical model.     

Magnetic field dependence of asymmetry in the magnetization reversal of ultrathin Co films and Co/Pt multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy

We studied the magnetization reversal in ultrathin [Co/Pt]_n films (n=1, 2, and 4) using magneto-optical Kerr microscopy. These materials demonstrate unusual asymmetries in the activity of nucleation centers and domain wall motion. It was found that application of very high holding magnetic field prior to magnetization reversal, exceeding some critical value much larger than the apparent saturation field, suppresses the subsequent ‘asymmetric’ nucleation centers, activity. We revealed that the ‘asymmetric’ nucleation centers become active again after subsequent reversal cycles coming from a smaller holding field and studied how the asymmetry returns with the decrease of applied holding field. It was found that in low-coercivity ultrathin Co films, the asymmetry in domain wall velocity decreased sharply with the applied field increase and disappeared when the reversal field is greater than μ₀H=1.5 mT.     

Influence of induced anisotropy on the processes of magnetization reversal of cobalt circular nanodots

The magnetic structure and the processes of magnetization reversal of individual cobalt nanodots and arrays of cobalt nanodots have been studied using the magneto-optical Kerr effect and magnetic force microscopy. Arrays of nanodots have been prepared by ion etching from a continuous cobalt film. Magnetic anisotropy is induced during deposition of the cobalt films. The nanodots have the diameter d = 600 nm and the period varying from 1.5d to 3.0d. Magnetic force microscopy images have shown that the induced magnetic anisotropy affects the orientation of magnetization of noninteracting nanodots and the direction of displacement of the magnetic vortex center in the nanodots coupled by the dipole-dipole interaction.     

Free magnetization oscillations in garnet ferrite films with quasi-planar anisotropy

Free magnetization oscillations in garnet ferrite films with quasi-planar anisotropy was studied. The oscillations were excited by a pulse of an in-plane magnetic field. An analytic expression relating the oscillation frequency to the film parameters and the external magnetic field was derived; the expression is in good agreement with the experimental data. The planar anisotropy is shown to increase the free-oscillation damping.     

Temperature dependence of current-induced magnetization switching in spin valves with a ferrimagnetic CoGd free layer

The temperature dependence of current-induced magnetization switching of ferrimagnetic CoGd free layers in spin valves is explored. At temperatures well above and well below the magnetization compensation temperature (T(MC)) of CoGd, a current flowing from the free layer to the CoFe fixed layer aligns the moments of the two layers parallel, and a current flowing in the opposite direction aligns them antiparallel. However, for intermediate temperatures just above T(MC), the current-induced alignment of the moments is reversed. We attribute this effect to the different compensation temperatures of the net magnetization and angular momentum of CoGd.     

On one mechanism of magnetization reversal in crystals with combined anisotropy

The effect of a magnetic field on the stability of null domain walls is considered in terms of a variational model. The walls are localized near defects in a (001)-oriented plate. The critical fields at which the inhomogeneities exist are found, and their role in magnetization processes taking place in the crystals under study is considered.