Observation of Two Different Oscillation Periods in the Exchange Coupling of Fe/Cr/Fe(100)

J. Unguris, R.J. Celotta, and D.T. Pierce

Physical Review Letters 67(1), 140-143 (1991).

Abstract:

Oscillations of ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between two Fe layers separated by a Cr spacer of linearly increasing thickness were investigated by imaging the magnetic domains with scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis. Up to six oscillations in the coupling with a period of 10-12 Cr layers were observed, and, in the case of an extremely well ordered Cr interlayer, additional oscillations with a period of 2 Cr layers were observed.

Keywords: layered magnetic-structures; giant magnetoresistance; interlayer exchange; fe layers; superlattices; Cr; Fe/Cr

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