Magnetic Structure in Exchange-coupled Antiferromagnet-Ferromagnet Thin Films

In this work we investigated the magnetic structure of the AF (FeF₂) and the FM (Fe, Ni, Permalloy) in thin films grown on MgF₂. For this purpose we prepared two sets of samples. The in-depth magnetization reversal of the FM was studied by magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE). Hysteresis loops for FeF₂/Py was measured. The difference between both loops is an unambiguous demonstration of the existence of domain structures parallel to the AF-FM interface. The reversibility of this structure has also been studied and extended to ferromagnetic materials with higher magnetocrystalline anisotropy (Ni and Fe).