Spin directions in exchange-coupled rare-earth transition metal double layer films with in-plane magnetic intermediate layer

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 1050 - 1054
• Main Authors: MALMHÄLL, R, NIIHARA, T, MIYAMOTO, H, OJIMA, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Japanese journal of applied physics 01.04.1992
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers; Metals. Metallurgy; Physics; Ternary alloy; Magnetization; Multiple layer; Lanthanide Alloys; Hall effect; Amorphous state; Spin reorientation; Experimental study; Domain wall; Iron Cobalt Terbium Alloys; Cobalt Dysprosium Iron Terbium Alloys; Transition metal Alloys; Magnetic anisotropy; Exchange interaction; Multiple system; Magnetic field
• ISSN: 0021-4922; 1347-4065
• DOI: 10.1143/JJAP.31.1050

Exchange-coupled perpendicular anisotropy rare earth-transition metal (RE-TM) double layer films with application as direct overwrite magneto-optical media have been studied employing the Hall effect. An intermediate layer was inserted between a RE-dominated TbDyFeCo layer and a TM-dominated TbFeCo layer in order to modify the exchange interaction. In the case of an in-plane magnetic anisotropy TM-dominated GdCo intermediate layer, the Gd-Co layer was inferred from the Hall effect to be almost fully magnetized in the normal direction at zero applied magnetic field and room temperature. Furthermore, an in-plane domain wall exists inside the TbDyFeCo layer at zero field when the magnetizations of the TbDyFeCo and TbFeCo layers are parallel. It was also found that the in-plane wall moves to the interface between the TbDyFeCo and GdCo layers at a temperature of about 50°C and further into the intermediate layer at higher temperatures.