| Author(s): |
Julie A. Borchers; Joseph A. Dura; John Unguris; D Tulchinsky; Michael H. Kelley; Charles F. Majkrzak; S. Y. Hsu; R Loloee; W Pratt; J Bass; |
| Title: |
Observation of antiparallel magnetic order in weakly coupled Co/Cu multilayers |
| Published: |
May 23, 1998 |
| Abstract: |
Polarized neutron reflectivity and scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis are combined to determine the magnetic structure of Co(6 nm)/Cu(6 nm) multilayers. These data resolve a controversy regarding the low-field state of giant-magnetoresistive (GMR) multilayers with weak coupling. As-prepared samples show a strong antiparallel correlation of in-plane ferromagnetic Co domains across the Cu. At the coercive field, the Co domains are uncorrelated. This irreversible transition explains the decrease in magnetoresistance from the as-prepared to the coercive state and indicates that the as-prepared state best represents the antiparallel configuration assumed in GMR analysis. For both states, the Co moments reside in domains with in-plane sizes of {asymp} 0.5 - 1.5 υm. |
| Citation: |
Physical Review Letters |
| Volume: |
82 |
| Issue: |
No. 13 |
| Pages: |
pp. 2796 - 2799 |
| Keywords: |
interlayer exchange coupling;magnetic multilayers;polarized neutron reflectivity;scanning electron microscopy;w/polarization analysis |
| Research Areas: |
Nanomagnetics |
| PDF version: |
 Click here to retrieve PDF version of paper (407KB) |
