Rapid suppression of exchange bias across thin Au spacer layers

Abstract

Using a CoO/Au/Co trilayer system, the exchange bias across nonmagnetic spacers has been investigated. X-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy have been applied to provide a detailed analysis of the layered structure. Investigations on the magnetic behavior reveal that relatively strong exchange coupling is maintained up to a nominal spacer layer thickness of 22.5 \AA{}. In contrast to recent studies on similar trilayers, the decrease of the exchange bias field with increasing spacer thickness is more abrupt and not a gradual exponential reduction.