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Enhanced interfacial magnetic coupling of Gd /Fe multilayers
1Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|November 3, 2001
Summary
The antiferromagnetic (AFM) exchange coupling at buried Gd/Fe interfaces was quantified. Its spatial extent and strength were determined, revealing values comparable to ferromagnetic exchange in bulk iron.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Magnetism
Background:
- Understanding interfacial magnetic coupling is crucial for spintronic devices.
- Ferrimagnetic multilayers with Gd/Fe interfaces present unique magnetic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the spatial extent and strength of antiferromagnetic (AFM) exchange coupling at buried Gd/Fe interfaces.
- To compare AFM coupling with ferromagnetic exchange in bulk materials.
Main Methods:
- Combined x-ray resonance magnetic reflectivity (XRMR) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) measurements.
- Analysis of sputtered [Gd(50 A)Fe(15,35 A)](15) multilayers.
Main Results:
- The spatial extent of AFM coupling (zeta(AFM)) was found to be 4.1(7) Å, approximately 1-2 interatomic distances.
- The strength of AFM coupling (J(AFM)) was determined to be 1050(90) K.
Conclusions:
- The AFM exchange coupling at buried Gd/Fe interfaces is significant and comparable to ferromagnetic exchange in bulk Fe.
- These findings provide insights into the magnetic behavior of Gd/Fe interfaces.