Abstract
Bottom pinned exchange bias systems of IrMn/CoFe and IrMn/CoFeB on CoFe seed layers were studied. Enhanced exchange anisotropy has been observed for IrMn/CoFeB samples annealed at 350 °C. The ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic layers of both samples are polycrystalline and textured {110} for the CoFe and CoFeB, and {111} for IrMn. Results demonstrated that the enhanced exchange anisotropy in the IrMn/CoFeB system is closely associated with the increased uncompensated interfacial spins as evidenced by the enhanced Mn x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) signal strength. A quantitative correlation between the Mn XMCD signal and the exchange anisotropy constant Jk was observed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 222503 |
| Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
| Volume | 96 |
| Issue number | 22 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 31 May 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)