Magnetic field induced transition from weak to strong ferromagnetic coupling in NiFe∕Au∕Co∕Au multilayers

• DOI: 10.1063/1.2831714
• Publication Date: 2008-01-07T23:15:22Z
• Authors: F. Stobiecki; M. Urbaniak; B. Szymański; J. Dubowik; P. Kuświk; M. Schmidt; T. Weis; D. Engel; D. Lengemann; A. Ehresmann; I. Sveklo; A. Maziewski
• Keywords: 0103 physical sciences; 01 natural sciences

We report on a specific magnetostatic coupling in sputter deposited (Ni80Fe20∕Au∕Co∕Au)10 multilayers of alternating in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic anisotropies. We demonstrate on the basis of complementary studies (magnetoresistance, conventional magnetometry, and element specific soft x-ray resonant magnetic scattering hysteresis measurements) that the magnetization reversal of the Ni–Fe layers is strongly influenced by a magnetostatic coupling originating from the out-of-plane stripe domain stray fields of the Co layers.