Structure and magnetic properties of exchange-spring Sm–Co/Co superlattices

Abstract

We present structural and magnetic properties of epitaxial Sm–Co/Co superlattice films prepared via magnetron sputtering. X-ray diffraction and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy show that the films are structurally coherent. The oriented nature of the interleaved ferromagnetically “hard” and “soft” layers comprising the superlattice provides a realization of the ideal nanostructure of exchange-spring magnets as well as a model system to study layer thickness dependences of the magnetic properties. The superlattice films have an effective fourfold, in-plane magnetic anisotropy. Room-temperature hysteresis loops are relatively square and the demagnetization of the Co is reversible, as expected of exchange-spring magnets with aligned hard magnet layers.