Short period oscillation of the interlayer exchange coupling in the ferromagnetic regime in Co/Cu/Co(100)

Abstract

A unique sample was prepared on a Cu(100) single crystal, consisting of three Co layers separated by two Cu layers in the form of wedges oriented perpendicular to each other: Cu(100)/80 Å Co/Cu wedge A/30 Å Co/Cu wedge B/30 Å Co/7 Å Cu/30 Å Au. Position-sensitive magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements along Cu wedge B, at a fixed position on Cu wedge A corresponding to maximum antiferromagnetic (AF) coupling, enabled us to investigate not only the AF but also the ferromagnetic (F) coupling between the two 30 Å Co layers as a function of the Cu thickness. The measurements confirmed both long and short period coupling oscillations in the AF regime, and revealed the predicted extension of the short period through the F regime.