Applied Physics Letters · 1993 · 67 citations · 8 references
Natural SciencesMaterials SciencePhysicsCondensed Matter PhysicsMagnetic MaterialsThin FilmsAntiferromagnetismExchange InteractionsMagnetic AnisotropyMagnetic Thin FilmsMagnetism In SolidsThin Film Magnetic PropertiesAntiferromagnetic CouplingExchange CouplingHysteresisIndirect ExchangeMagnetic HeterostructuresMagnetization In Thin FilmsMultilayer Magnetic FilmsThin Film Magnetism
We have investigated the magnetization behavior of Co/Pt/Gd/Pt multilayers in order to study the indirect exchange coupling between Co and Gd through Pt. A novel hysteresis loop has been observed for the samples with Pt layer thicknesses larger than 10 Å. This loop is considered to be due to the combined effect of the antiferromagnetic coupling between Co and Gd layers and the large magnetic anisotropy acting on the Co layer magnetization. The magnetization data suggest that the coupling strength oscillates with the Pt layer thickness.
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