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Exchange anisotropy effects in NiFe layers and NiFe/Cr multilayers

1996; Elsevier BV; Volume: 156; Issue: 1-3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0304-8853(95)00856-x

1873-4766

K. O’Grady, Simon John Greaves, S.M. Thompson,

Metallic Glasses and Amorphous Alloys

Abstract We report on a study of the magnetic properties of NiFe/Cr multilayers systems deposited on Si substrates. A significant shift and an anomalous discontinuity on one side of the hysteresis loop at 4 K are observed. The loops become symmetrical above 15 K. We interpreted our data on the basis that the top NiFe layer is partially oxidised and antiferromagnetic leading to an exchange anisotropy within the layer. The effect of a silver layer on the top surface of the multilayer is to prevent the oxidation of the NiFe which causes this effect.