Abstract
In this article we present a detailed investigation of the structural and magnetic properties of exchange biased NiFe (ferromagnet)/FeMn (antiferromagnet) thin films. The influence of the shape anisotropy on exchange bias and the magnetization reversal mechanism in a sample with patterned lines is compared with a continuous two-dimensional reference sample. Polarized neutron reflectivity (PNR) is employed to study the magnetization reversal by analyzing the spin-flip and non-spin-flip reflectivities. PNR measurements show that the magnetization reversal in the reference two-dimensional film and patterned lines is by domain wall motion rather than coherent rotation of magnetization.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 181-187 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Applied Physics A: Materials Science and Processing |
| Volume | 109 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Funding
We thank Mr. B. Opperdoes for his help in MBE growth. This work has been supported by the FWO and GOA/09/006 research programs. We acknowledge an STFC grant for access to the ISIS experimental facility.