Abstract
The effects of the sputter gas pressures during the deposition of the Pd underlayer (P_<ul>) and the Co/Pd multilayer(P_<ml>) on the magnetic and magneto-optic properties of Co/Pd multilayers are investigated. Mixing at the interface occurs with increase of sputter gas pressures. The increase of P_<ml> led to an increase in the coercivity, but to a decrease in the Kerr rotation angle. The increase of P_<ul> led to a decrease in the coercivity, a decrease in the Kerr rotation angle and also a change in the magnetization reversal mechanism. The films prepared at higher pressures exhibit aging properties and their magnetic properties deteriorate with time.
