Prediction and confirmation of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in Co/Ni multilayers

Abstract

On the basis of first-principles (local-spin-density-approximation) calculations of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy, we have predicted a perpendicular orientation of the magnetization in a [111${]}_{\mathrm{fcc}}$ ${\mathrm{Co}}_{1}$/${\mathrm{Ni}}_{2}$ multilayer. This multilayer was then grown by vapor deposition and found to have the predicted properties. The saturation magnetization of 1 T is much larger than that of known magnetic multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy.