Antiferromagnetic coupling and perpendicular anisotropy in TbFeCo/NiO multilayers

Abstract

For Tbx (Fe90 Co10) 100-x (40 nm) NiO (3.3 nm) multilayers with x=17 and 19, antiferromagnetic coupling is revealed by both in-plane and out-of-plane hysteresis loops at low temperatures. Magnetic perpendicular anisotropy and out-of-plane coercivity of multilayers are enhanced, in comparison to those of TbFeCo single layer films. The strength of the antiferromagnetic coupling, the perpendicular anisotropy, and out-of-plane coercivity are all reduced at high temperatures. These results can be ascribed to the weakening of antiferromagnetic ordering of NiO spins. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.