Abstract
We use argon ion-bombardment during Fe layer deposition as a way to tailor the structural and magnetic properties of bilayer and multilayer systems containing Fe/FeV components. We present structural and magnetic results on Fe/FeV bilayer and Fe/Fe-oxide/Fe/FeV multilayer systems. Magnetization measurements were taken over a range of temperatures and show the expected ferromagnetic behavior for the Fe/FeV bilayer. The Fe/Fe-oxide/Fe/FeV multilayer demonstrates an enhanced coercivity and exchange bias at low temperatures, both due to the presence of the antiferromagnetic Fe-oxide layer. Polarized neutron reflectometry results (scattering length density depth profile and neutron spin asymmetry) were used to identify mixed interfacial layers resulting from ion-bombardment. These demonstrated a lower magnetic moment than bulk Fe layers and may undergo a reversal process that differs from non-mixed layers within the sample.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 7742371 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | IEEE Magnetics Letters |
| Volume | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- exchange bias
- magnetic thin films
- magnetism in solids
- Nanomagnetics
- polarized neutron reflectometry