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PUBLICATIONS

Vertically Graded Anisotropy in Co/Pd Multilayers

Published

Author(s)

Brian J. Kirby, Joseph E. Davies, Kai Liu, Shannon Watson, G. T. Zimanyi, Robert D. Shull, Paul A. Kienzle, Julie A. Borchers

Abstract

It has been theoretically predicted that depth-grading the magnetic anisotropy in perpendicular magnetic media should reduce the field required to write data, without affecting the thermal stability. To study this prediction, we have produced a series of Co/Pd multilayers featuring depth-dependent Co layer thickness. Polarized neutron reflectometry directly shows that the Co thickness grading results in a corresponding gradient in the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Magnetometry measurements then reveal that the anisotropy gradient promotes domain nucleation upon magnetization reversal - a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of graded anisotropy in reducing the write-field for perpendicular magnetic media materials.
Citation
Physical Review Letters
Pub Type
Journals

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Keywords

Magnetic media, neutron scattering
Neutron research and Condensed matter

Citation

Kirby, B. , , J. , Liu, K. , Watson, S. , , G. , Shull, R. , Kienzle, P. and Borchers, J. (2010), Vertically Graded Anisotropy in Co/Pd Multilayers, Physical Review Letters, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=904132 (Accessed October 21, 2025)

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Created March 8, 2010, Updated February 19, 2017
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