Dynamic spin structure and antiferromagnetic domains in exchange-coupled multilayers

Summary form only given. The exchange coupling between a ferromagnet (FM) and an antiferromagnet (AF) has been intensively studied in recent years because of the intriguing physics and its role in spin-valve devices. We describe some recent results that show that the AF spin structure and AF domains hold the key to the understanding of this phenomenon. The AF spin structure is found to be not static but dynamic, and we,have observed evidence of a spiraling AF spin structure. We have also observed AF domains that are set by the FM layer during field cooling. These new results are incompatible with models of exchange bias that assume a static AF spin structure.