Magnetic behavior of sputtered Gd/Co multilayers

Abstract

We have experimentally and theoretically explored the magnetic behavior at low field of Gd/Co sputtered multilayers. Magnetization measurements and simulations qualitatively agree only when the Gd layer is substituted by an alloyed GdCo layer close to the eutectic composition. The formation of this GdCo alloy, previously evidenced by experiments of composition depth profiles, is consistent with the observed compensation temperatures. Likewise, a certain reduction of the effective Co layer thickness due to alloy formation is taken into account and improves the agreement between theoretical calculations and measurements of magnetization versus temperature for various multilayers.