Patrick Matthes

All-optical helicity dependent magnetic switching in an artificial zero moment magnet

Low remanent magnetization as key prerequisite for the ability of helicity dependent all-optical magnetic switching (AOS) is demonstrated for an artificial zero moment magnet. A heterostructure consisting of two amorphous ferrimagnetic Tb36Fe64 and Tb19Fe81 alloy layers is designed to yield a zero remanent net magnetization at room temperature by means of an antiparallel interfacial exchange coupling of the dominant magnetic moments. The canceling layer magnetizations provide vanishing demagnetization fields and the ability of AOS. Contrary to this, no all-optical switching is observed for single Tb36Fe64 and Tb19Fe81 films. This study provides further evidence that the ability for all-optical magnetic switching is correlated to the remanent sample magnetization and thus to the difference in magnetic moment of the rare-earth and transition-metal sublattices.

Micromagnetic simulation of exchange coupled ferri-/ferromagnetic composite in bit patterned media

Ferri-/ferromagnetic exchange coupled composites are promising candidates for bit patterned media because of the ability to control the magnetic properties of the ferrimagnet by its composition. A micromagnetic model for the bilayer system is presented where we also incorporate the microstructural features of both layers. Micromagnetic finite element simulations are performed to investigate the magnetization reversal behaviour of such media. By adding the exchange coupled ferrimagnet to the ferromagnet, the switching field could be reduced by up to 40% and also the switching field distribution is narrowed. To reach these significant improvements, an interface exchange coupling strength of 2 mJ/m2 is required.

Switching field distribution of exchange coupled ferri-/ferromagnetic composite bit patterned media

We investigate the switching field distribution and the resulting bit error rate of exchange coupled ferri-/ferromagnetic bilayer island arrays by micromagnetic simulations. Using islands with varying microstructure and anisotropic properties, the intrinsic switching field distribution is computed. The dipolar contribution to the switching field distribution is obtained separately by using a model of a triangular patterned island array resembling 1.4 Tb/in2 bit patterned media. Both contributions are computed for different thicknesses of the soft exchange coupled ferrimagnet and also for ferromagnetic single phase FePt islands. A bit patterned media with a bilayer structure of FeGd( 5 nm)/FePt( 5 nm) shows a bit error rate of 10−4 with a write field of 1.16 T.

Corrosion resistance of pseudo-spin-valve systems: Pd vs. Ta capping layers

An analysis of both magnetic and magneto-transport properties in dependence of the corrosion resistance is presented for a pseudo-spin-valve (PSV) system with different capping layers. The magnetoresistive part of the sample consists of a [Co/Pd] multilayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and a single Co layer with in-plane easy axis separated by a Cu spacer, forming a PSV system with crossed anisotropies. The samples were annealed under ambient conditions up to temperatures of 200 °C to facilitate the corrosion process. Whereas the magnetic properties are stable up to 100 °C independent of the capping layer, the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect is more sensitive on annealing. In case of Pd as capping layer, the GMR of the pseudo-spin-valve considerably degrades already after annealing at 60 °C, whereby even by thickening of the Pd layer up to 10 nm, no pronounced improvement was obtained. On the contrary, for Ta as capping layer the GMR ratio stays constant upon heating up to 100 °C, followed ...

Monolithic integration of focused 2D GMR spin valve magnetic field sensor for high-sensitivity (compass) applications (Presentation Recording)

We have designed and fabricated 2D GMR spin valve sensors on the basis of IrMn/CoFe/Cu/CoFe/NiFe nanolayers in monolithic integration for high sensitivity applications. For a maximum signal-to-noise ratio, we realize a focused double full bridge layout featuring an antiparallel exchange bias pinning for neighbouring meanders and an orthogonal pinning for different bridges. This precise alignment is achieved with microscopic precision by laser heating and subsequent in-field cooling. Striving for maximum signal sensitivity and minimum hysteresis, we study in detail the impact of single meander geometry on the total magnetic structure and electronic transport properties. The investigated geometrical parameters include stripe width, stripe length, cross bar material and total meander length. In addition, the influence of the relative alignment between reference magnetization (pinned layer) and shape anisotropy (free layer) is studied. The experimentally obtained data are moreover compared to the predictions of tailored micromagnetic simulations. Using a set of optimum parameters, we demonstrate that our sensor may readily be employed to measure small magnetic fields, such as the ambient (geomagnetic) field, in terms of a 2D vector with high spatial (~200 μm) and temporal (~1 ms) resolution.

Magnetotransport Properties of Perpendicular [Pt/Co]/Cu/[Co/Pt] Pseudo-Spin-Valves

We studied the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect in [Co/Pt]4/Co/Cu/Co/[Co/Pt]4 pseudo-spin-valves with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and analyzed the impact of the Cu spacer layer thickness as well as the Co layer thickness at the Cu/Co interface. The magnetotransport measurements were carried out by a four-point probe method in current-in-plane geometry at room temperature and additionally by the van der Pauw method at low temperatures. The GMR ratio at room temperature can be almost doubled to ~1.5% by increasing the Co layer thickness to 10 Å at each side of the Cu spacer layer, while keeping all other thicknesses constant. Due to this relatively large single Co layer thickness, which reduces the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, the magnetic reversal is driven by magnetostatic interactions, leading to the formation of vertically correlated magnetic domains. In addition, by tuning the PMA of both [Co/Pt] multilayers, the formation of magnetic domains in the soft layer can be achieved without affecting the hard layer, which stays uniformly magnetized, resulting in a GMR ratio of up to 1.6% at room temperature. Upon formation of vertically correlated domains, the GMR ratio will be reduced again.

Selective realignment of the exchange biased magnetization direction in spintronic layer stacks using continuous and pulsed laser radiation

We report on selective realignment of the magnetization direction of the exchange biased ferromagnetic layer in two different spintronic layer stacks using laser radiation. The exchange bias effect occurs in an antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic bilayer system when cooled in an external magnetic field below the Néel temperature and results in a shift of the ferromagnetic hysteresis loop with increased coercivity. The effect is utilized to pin the magnetization direction of the reference ferromagnetic layer in spin valve systems. We investigated the realignment of the pinned magnetization direction in a spin valve system with in plane exchange bias and in a Co/Pt multilayer with perpendicular exchange bias. The layer stacks were heated above the Néel temperature in a defined lateral area by using rapidly deflected laser radiation. Two different laser assisted annealing techniques were investigated applying either continuous or pulsed laser radiation. During laser annealing, the sample was subjected to an external magnetic field in order to selectively realign the magnetization direction of the pinned ferromagnetic layer. Magnetic structuring was performed by heating narrow single tracks as well as irradiating single pulses. By using a magneto optical sensor in combination with a polarization microscope, the magnetic structures have been visualized. After laser annealing of larger-scaled areas, the exchange bias field strength and the coercive field strength were analyzed using a magneto optical Kerr effect set up (MOKE). The impact of the processing parameters laser peak intensity, laser pulse duration, scan speed (continuous wave) and magnetic field strength on the resulting reversed exchange bias field was evaluated.