A polycrystalline model for magnetic exchange bias

This work introduces a realistic model for the magnetic behavior of polycrystalline ferromagnet/antiferromagnet (FM/AF) systems with granular interfaces. It considers that, for strong enough interface exchange coupling, the AF layer breaks the adjacent FM into small-sized domains and that at the int...

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Published inJournal of physics. Condensed matter Vol. 24; no. 32; pp. 326004, 1 - 326004
Main Authors Harres, A, Geshev, J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Bristol IOP Publishing 15.08.2012
Institute of Physics
Subjects
Anisotropy
Bias
Coercive force
Coercivity
Condensed matter
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Exact sciences and technology
Exchange
Grains
Interfacial magnetic properties (multilayers, magnetic quantum wells, superlattices, magnetic heterostructures)
Joining
Magnetic properties and materials
Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers
Physics
Interfaces
Cathode sputtering
Magnetization
Anisotropy
Coercive force
Antiferromagnetic materials
Magnetic field effects
Ferromagnetic materials
Polycrystals
Magnetic hysteresis
Exchange interactions
Granular structure
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Summary:This work introduces a realistic model for the magnetic behavior of polycrystalline ferromagnet/antiferromagnet (FM/AF) systems with granular interfaces. It considers that, for strong enough interface exchange coupling, the AF layer breaks the adjacent FM into small-sized domains and that at the interface there exist grains with uncompensated spins interacting with the FM magnetizations; the classification of these grains as unstable (rotatable, responsible for a coercivity enhancement) or stable (adding to the bias) depends on both the anisotropy and the magnetic coupling with the adjacent FM. The distinctive characteristic of the model is that the effective rotatable anisotropy changes when the external magnetic field is varied resulting in a non-zero hard-axis coercivity, a feature commonly observed, though little understood and often ignored. The applicability of this model was checked on a typical magnetron-sputtered IrMn/Co bilayer and excellent agreement between experiment and simulation was achieved.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:0953-8984
1361-648X
DOI:10.1088/0953-8984/24/32/326004