Exchange induced unidirectional anisotropy observed using Cr–Al antiferromagnetic films

Abstract

Exchange induced unidirectional anisotropy has been observed in a new bilayer system consisting of a ferromagnetic FeTaN or Ni80Fe20 film coupled to an antiferromagnetic Cr–Al alloy film. Estimates of the exchange coupling energy and magnetic anisotropy constant of the antiferromagnet are made and compared to other exchange coupled systems.