Antiferromagnetic Interlayer Exchange Coupling across an Amorphous Metallic Spacer Layer

D. E. Bürgler, D. M. Schaller, C. M. Schmidt, F. Meisinger, J. Kroha, J. McCord, A. Hubert, and H.-J. Güntherodt
Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, 4983 – Published 1 June 1998
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

By means of magneto-optical Kerr effect we observe for the first time antiferromagnetic coupling between ferromagnetic layers across an amorphous metallic spacer layer. Biquadratic coupling occurs at the transition from a ferromagnetically to an antiferromagnetically coupled region. Scanning tunneling microscopy images of all involved layers are used to extract thickness fluctuations and to verify the amorphous state of the spacer. The observed antiferromagnetic coupling behavior is explained by RKKY interaction, taking into account the amorphous structure of the spacer material.

  • Received 10 February 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.80.4983

©1998 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

D. E. Bürgler1,*, D. M. Schaller1, C. M. Schmidt1, F. Meisinger1, J. Kroha2, J. McCord3, A. Hubert3, and H.-J. Güntherodt1

  • 1Institut für Physik, Universität Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 82, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
  • 2Institut für Theorie der Kondensierten Materie, Universität Karlsruhe, Postfach 6980, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
  • 3Institut für Werkstoffwissenschaften 6, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany

  • *Electronic address: buergler@ubaclu.unibas.ch

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 80, Iss. 22 — 1 June 1998

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×