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Oscillatory interlayer exchange coupling and its temperature dependence in [Pt/Co]3/NiO/[Co/Pt]3 multilayers with
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0111, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|August 9, 2003
Summary
Interlayer exchange coupling in [Pt/Co]3/NiO/ [Co/Pt]3 multilayers oscillates between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic states. This behavior, linked to nickel oxide (NiO) thickness, suggests potential for novel magnetic device applications.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Magnetism
Background:
- Interlayer exchange coupling (IEC) is crucial for designing magnetic multilayers.
- Understanding IEC in insulating spacers like NiO is key for spintronic applications.
- Oscillatory IEC as a function of spacer thickness is a known phenomenon.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the oscillatory interlayer exchange coupling in [Pt/Co]3/NiO/ [Co/Pt]3 multilayers.
- To determine the effect of NiO thickness on the coupling behavior.
- To explore the temperature dependence of the coupling and its relation to theoretical models.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of [Pt(5 A)/Co(4 A)](3)/NiO(t(NiO) A)/[Co(4 A)/Pt(5 A)](3) multilayers with varying NiO thicknesses.
- Characterization of magnetic properties, including anisotropy and interlayer coupling.
- Temperature-dependent measurements of magnetic coupling.
Main Results:
- Observed oscillatory IEC between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic states as a function of NiO thickness.
- Identified an oscillation period of approximately 2 monolayers of NiO.
- Demonstrated an increase in antiferromagnetic IEC strength with temperature for an 11 A NiO layer, consistent with Bruno's quantum interference model.
- Observed coexistence of exchange biasing and antiferromagnetic IEC below 250 K.
Conclusions:
- The oscillatory IEC in these multilayers is attributed to the antiferromagnetic ordering in NiO.
- The temperature dependence of IEC supports theoretical predictions for insulating spacers.
- The findings suggest potential for controlling magnetic coupling in advanced spintronic devices through precise NiO layer thickness.
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