Magnetic field induced transition from weak to strong ferromagnetic coupling in NiFe∕Au∕Co∕Au multilayers

Abstract

We report on a specific magnetostatic coupling in sputter deposited (Ni80Fe20∕Au∕Co∕Au)10 multilayers of alternating in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic anisotropies. We demonstrate on the basis of complementary studies (magnetoresistance, conventional magnetometry, and element specific soft x-ray resonant magnetic scattering hysteresis measurements) that the magnetization reversal of the Ni–Fe layers is strongly influenced by a magnetostatic coupling originating from the out-of-plane stripe domain stray fields of the Co layers.