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Domain size and structure in exchange coupled [Co/Pt]/NiO/[Co/Pt] multilayers.
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0111, USA. agbaruth@umn.edu
Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal
|September 1, 2011
Summary
We explored how interlayer and magnetostatic coupling affect magnetic domain formation in [Co/Pt]/NiO/[Co/Pt] heterostructures. Domain size is linked to coupling energy, revealing new physics in coupled magnetic systems with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA).
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Magnetic heterostructures with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) are crucial for advanced magnetic storage technologies.
- Understanding the interplay between different magnetic coupling mechanisms is key to controlling magnetic properties.
- The [Co/Pt]/NiO/[Co/Pt] system offers a unique platform to study competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic coupling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the competing effects of interlayer exchange coupling and magnetostatic coupling in [Co/Pt]/NiO/[Co/Pt] heterostructures.
- To explore how tuning spacer layer thickness influences magnetic domain formation and energetics.
- To elucidate the relationship between coupling strength, domain size, and magnetic behavior.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a wedge-shaped NiO spacer layer to systematically vary coupling interactions.
- High-resolution magnetic force microscopy (MFM) to probe microscopic magnetic behavior.
- Magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) to analyze macroscopic magnetic properties as a function of thickness and coupling.
Main Results:
- Observed oscillation between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic coupling as a function of NiO spacer thickness.
- Demonstrated significant changes in magnetic domain structure based on the sign of coupling.
- Established a direct correlation between magnetic domain size and the magnitude of interlayer exchange coupling energy, which generally dominates over magnetostatic interactions.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the dominant role of interlayer exchange coupling over magnetostatic interactions in dictating magnetic domain size in these PMA heterostructures.
- A delicate interplay between coupling energies becomes apparent when magnetostatic interactions are comparable to interlayer exchange coupling, allowing for energy scale extraction.
- The findings provide insights into the fundamental physics of magnetic domain formation in coupled systems with PMA, with implications for magnetic recording technology and defining limits on domain size.
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