Journal Article

FZJ-2015-03378

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Change in interface magnetism of an exchange-coupled system due to the presence of nonmagnetic spacers

Paul, A. (Corresponding Author) ; Paul, N.FZJ* ; Jutimoosik, J. ; Yimnirun, R. ; Rujirawat, S. ; Höpfner, B. ; Lauermann, I. ; Lux-Steiner, M. ; Mattauch, S.FZJ* ; Böni, P.

2013
APS College Park, Md.

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/8731  doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.87.014431

Abstract: We report on the effect of nonmagnetic spacer layers on the interface magnetism and the exchange bias in the archetypical [Co/CoO]16 system. The separation of the magnetic bilayers by Au layers with various thicknesses dAu≥25 nm leads to a threefold increase of the exchange bias field (Heb). Reflectometry with polarized neutrons does not reveal any appreciable change in the domain population. This result is in agreement with the observation that the granular microstructure within the [Co/CoO] bilayers is independent of dAu. The significant reduction of the magnetic moments in the Co layers can be attributed to interfacial disorder at the Co-Au interfaces. Element-specific x-ray absorption spectroscopy attributes part of the enhancement of Heb to the formation of Co3O4 in the [Co/CoO] bilayers within the multilayers. A considerable proportion of the increase of Heb can be attributed to the loss of magnetization at each of the Co-Au interfaces with increasing dAu. We propose that the interfacial magnetism of ferro- and antiferromagnetic layers can be significantly altered by means of metallic spacer layers thus affecting the exchange bias significantly. This study shows that the magnetism in magnetic multilayers can be engineered by nonmagnetic spacer layers without involving the microstructure of the individual layers.

Keyword(s): Magnetic Materials (1st) ; Key Technologies (1st) ; Nano Science and Technology (1st) ; Magnetism (2nd)

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. JCNS-FRM-II (JCNS (München) ; Jülich Centre for Neutron Science JCNS (München) ; JCNS-FRM-II)
2. Neutronenstreuung (Neutronenstreuung ; JCNS-1)
3. Experimentelle Hadronstruktur (IKP-1)

Research Program(s):

1. 54G - JCNS (POF2-54G24) (POF2-54G24)

Experiment(s):

1. TREFF: Neutronenreflektometer (NL5S)

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection

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