AIP Advances (Jan 2020)

Determination of fine magnetic structure of magnetic multilayer with quasi antiferromagnetic layer by using polarized neutron reflectivity analysis

  • Yongshi Zhong,
  • Yuichiro Kurokawa,
  • Gen Nagashima,
  • Shu Horiike,
  • Takayasu Hanashima,
  • Daniel Schönke,
  • Pascal Krautscheid,
  • Robert M. Reeve,
  • Mathias Kläui,
  • Hiromi Yuasa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5130445
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
pp. 015323 – 015323-6

Abstract

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We carried out polarized neutron reflectivity (PNR) analysis to determine the fine magnetic structure of magnetic multilayers with quasi-antiferromagnetic (quasi-AFM) layers realized by 90-deg coupling using two Co90Fe10 layers, and quantitatively evaluated the magnetization of quasi-AFM layers. Two types of samples with different buffer layers, Ru buffer and a NiFeCr buffer, were investigated and the average angles between the respective magnetization of the two Co90Fe10 layers were estimated to be +/− 39 degrees and +/− 53 degrees. In addition, less roughness was found in the NiFeCr buffer sample resulting stronger 90-deg coupling. A perfect quasi-AFM is expected to be realized by a flat interface of the magnetic multilayer.