Influence of the top and bottom interface on perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in Tb-Fe-Ag multilayers

Author

Marks, O. ; Ruckert, T. ; Tappert, J. ; Keune, W. ; Kim, W.S. ; Kleemann, W. ; Voiron, J.

Author_Institution

Lab. fur Angewandte Phys., Duisburg Univ., Germany

Volume

34

Issue

4

fYear

1998

fDate

7/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

834

Lastpage

836

Abstract

Mossbauer spectroscopy (CEMS), vibrating-sample magnetometry and the polar magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) have been employed to investigate the effect of either “top” (Tb-deposited-on-Fe) or “bottom” (Fe-deposited-on-Tb) interfaces, or of both types of interfaces, on magnetic properties of UHV-grown Tb-bcc-Fe-Ag multilayers. All samples develop perpendicular Fe-spin texture, perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, polar remanence, and large polar coercivities upon cooling; however, the T-dependence is found to be different for different types of interfaces. The remanent-magnetized state of the Fe-layers at low T is either nearly a perpendicular single-domain state or a nearly perpendicular multidomain state, both states being characterized by canted Fe-spins or canted easy axes (cone state). The shape of MOKE hysteresis loops is found to be wavelength dependent. Qualitatively, all effects may be correlated with differences in Tb-Fe interface roughness

Keywords

Kerr magneto-optical effect; Mossbauer effect; canted spin arrangements; coercive force; iron; magnetic domains; magnetic multilayers; perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; remanence; silver; terbium; CEMS; Mossbauer spectroscopy; Tb-Fe-Ag; canted easy axes; cone state; hysteresis loops; interface roughness; multidomain state; multilayers; perpendicular Fe-spin texture; perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; polar coercivity; polar magneto-optic Kerr effect; polar remanence; single-domain state; vibrating-sample magnetometry; Coercive force; Cooling; Kerr effect; Magnetic anisotropy; Magnetic multilayers; Magnetic properties; Magnetooptic effects; Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; Remanence; Spectroscopy;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/20.706272

Filename

706272