Element- and depth resolved magnetic study of Sm-Co/Fe exchange spring magnet films with enhanced effective coupling

ORAL

Abstract

Sm-Co/Fe exchange-spring bilayers with intermixed interfaces exhibit enhanced exchange coupling effectiveness [1]. We have examined the element- and depth-resolved magnetization reversal process using x-ray resonant magnetic scattering (XRMS) magnetometry. The XRMS measurements indicate significant Co diffusion into the Fe layer, and electron microscopy observations give consistent results in the composition profiles. Using model concentration profiles in combination with micromagnetic codes, we simulated demagnetization curves that are in good agreement with the XRMS results. The results reveal that the enhanced exchange coupling effectiveness is due to the intermixing in the interfacial region and that the diffused Co behaves similarly to the surrounding Fe. [1] J. S. Jiang et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 85, 5293 (2004).

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Authors

  • Y. Choi

    Argonne, Argonne National Laboratory

  • J. S. Jiang

    Argonne National Laboratory

  • John E. Pearson

    Argonne National Laboratory, Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory

  • Sam Bader

    Argonne National Laboratory, Center for Nanoscale Materials and Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory

  • Y. Ding

    Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Z. L. Wang

    Georgia Institute of Technology

  • A. Zambano

    University of Maryland

  • Makoto Murakami

    University of Maryland

  • I. Takeuchi

    University of Maryland

  • J.P. Liu

    University of Texas at Arlington, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington