H. Zabel

Interfacial domain formation during magnetization reversal in exchange-biased CoO/CO bilayers

We have carried out detailed experimental studies of the exchange bias effect of a series of CoO/Co(111) textured bilayers with different Co layer thickness, using the magneto-optical Kerr effect, SQUID magnetometry, polarized neutron reflectivity, x-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. All samples exhibit a pronounced asymmetry of the magnetic hysteresis at the first magnetization reversal as compared to the second reversal. Polarized neutron reflectivity measurements show that the first reversal occurs via nucleation and domain wall motion, while the second reversal is characterized by magnetization rotation. Off-specular diffuse spin-flip scattering indicates the existence of interfacial magnetic domains. All samples feature a small positive exchange bias just below the blocking temperature, followed by a dominating negative exchange bias field with decreasing temperature. For very thin Co-films the coexistence of ferromagnetic domains with parallel and perpendicular magnetization directions leads to a peculiar shape of the hysteresis with an extended plateau like region of almost zero magnetization.

Exchange Bias Effect of Ferro-/Antiferromagnetic Heterostructures

The exchange bias effect, discovered more than fifty years ago, is a fundamental interfacial property, which occurs between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic materials. After intensive experimental and theoretical research over the last ten years, a much clearer picture has emerged about this effect, which is of immense technical importance for magneto-electronic device applications. In this review we start with the discussion of numerical and analytical results of those models which are based on the assumption of coherent rotation of the magnetization. The behavior of the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic spins during the magnetization reversal, as well as the dependence of the critical fields on characteristic parameters such as exchange stiffness, magnetic anisotropy, interface disorder etc. are analyzed in detail and the most important models for exchange bias are reviewed. Finally recent experiments in the light of the presented models are discussed.

X-ray and neutron reflectivity analysis of thin films and superlattices

X-ray and neutron reflectivity measurements provide a wealth of information on thickness and interfacial properties on the nanometer scale. This method is therefore well suited for the study of nano-structured thin films and superlattices. Neutrons provide a different contrast between the elements than X-rays and, in addition, are sensitive to the magnetization in the sample. Using polarized neutrons, magnetic as well as chemical profiles can be probed. In this review a basic introduction into the theory of X-ray and neutron reflectivity is provided along with some recent examples including the oxidation of Fe films and the structural and magnetic properties of Co/Cu superlattices.

Reversing the Training Effect in Exchange Biased CoO/Co Bilayers

We performed a detailed study of the training effect in exchange biased CoO/Co bilayers. High-resolution measurements of the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) display an asymmetry in the first magnetization reversal process and training in the subsequent reversal processes. Surprisingly, the AMR measurements as well as magnetization measurements reveal that it is possible to partially reinduce the untrained state by performing a hysteresis measurement with an in-plane external field perpendicular to the cooling field. Indeed, the next hysteresis loop obtained in a field parallel to the cooling field resembles the initial asymmetric hysteresis loop, but with a reduced amount of spin rotation occurring at the first coercive field. This implies that the antiferromagnetic domains, which are created during the first reversal after cooling, can be partially erased.

Diffractometer for soft x-ray resonant magnetic scattering

We report on the design and construction of a new diffractometer for soft x-ray resonant magnetic scattering which has been built at the Ruhr-University Bochum. The ultrahigh vacuum-compatible diffractometer comprises a two-circle goniometer and works in horizontal scattering geometry. Rotation of the detector and sample is realized by two differentially pumped rotating platforms with motors and gears external to the vacuum. The sample environment consists of a closed-cycle He cryostat that allows heating up to 600 K and applying a magnetic field of ±2.5 kOe. All functions of the experimental setup have been extensively tested at the BESSY II Synchrotron (beamline PM3). The experimental results demonstrate the performance of the instrument.

Perpendicular exchange bias in ferrimagnetic spin valves

The exchange bias effect refers to the shift of the hysteresis loop of a ferromagnet in direct contact to an antiferromagnet. For applications in spintronics a robust and tunable exchange bias is required. Here we show experimental evidence for a perpendicular exchange bias in a prototypical ferrimagnetic spin valve consisting of DyCo(5)/Ta/Fe(76)Gd(24), where the DyCo(5) alloy has the role of a hard ferrimagnet and Fe(76)Gd(24) is a soft ferrimagnet. Taking advantage of the tunability of the exchange coupling between the ferrimagnetic layers by means of thickness variation of an interlayer spacer, we demonstrate that perpendicular unidirectional anisotropy can be induced with desirable absolute values at room temperature, without making use of a field-cooling procedure. Moreover, the shift of the hysteresis loop can be reversed with relatively low magnetic fields of several hundred Oersteds. This flexibility in controlling a robust perpendicular exchange bias at room temperature may be of crucial importance for applications.

Asymmetric magnetization reversal on exchange biased CoO/Co bilayers

We study magnetic hysteresis loops after field cooling of a CoO/Co bilayer by MOKE and polarized neutron reflectivity. The neutron scattering reveals that the first magnetization reversal after field cooling is dominated by domain wall movement, whereas all subsequent reversals proceed essentially by rotation of the magnetization. In addition, off-specular diffuse scattering indicates that the first magnetization reversal induces an irreversible change of the domain state in the antiferromagnet.

Phonons in layered compounds

Layer compounds exhibit highly anisotropic structural and elastic properties. They are characterized by rather rigid layers, loosely stacked together perpendicular to each other. Accordingly, the phonon dispersion of layered compounds are characterized by low lying inter-layer modes and highfrequency intra-layer modes. Intercalation compounds composed of a regular sequence of host and guest layers provide a playground for the investigation of the layer lattice dynamics by systematically changing the guest species and the number of guest layers per unit cell. In this contribution a brief overview of some characteristic features of the lattice dynamics of layered compounds is provided.

Spin polarized neutron reflectivity of magnetic films and superlattices

Spin polarized neutron reflectivity is described for the investigation of magnetic structures in thin films and superlattices. Unlike other magnetic measurement techniques which provide sample average information, spin polarized neutron scattering supplies profiles for the nuclear and magnetic density distribution in the sample and is thus sensitive to specific modulation periods characteristic for ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, helical structures, etc. A brief description of the scattering theory and experimental techniques along with discussions of recent measurements from magnetic superlattices is provided.

Dose dependence of ferromagnetism in Co-implanted ZnO

We have studied the structural, magnetic, and electronic properties of Co-implanted ZnO(0001) films grown on Al2O3 (112¯0) substrates for different implantation doses and over a wide temperature range. Strong room temperature ferromagnetism is observed with magnetic parameters depending on the cobalt implantation dose. A detailed analysis of the structural and magnetic properties indicates that there are two magnetic phases in Co-implanted ZnO films. One is a ferromagnetic phase due to the formation of long range ferromagnetic ordering between implanted magnetic cobalt ions in the ZnO layer and the second one is a superparamagnetic phase, which occurs due to the formation of metallic cobalt clusters in the Al2O3 substrate. Using x-ray resonant magnetic scattering, the element specific magnetization of cobalt, oxygen, and Zn was investigated. Magnetic dichroism was observed at the Co L2,3 edges as well as at the O K edge. In addition, the anomalous Hall effect is also observed, supporting the intrinsic nat...