Magnetic Properties of NiFe/IrMn Exchange-Coupled Films

Abstract

The magnetic properties of NiFe/IrMn exchange-coupled films were investigated. The exchange-coupling field (H_ex) of a thick (>150Å) IrMn sample decreased as a result of annealing, but was not affected by annealing for a second and third time. The magnetization curves of samples with low blocking temperatures moved toward the 0 field and shrank along the field axis during successive measurements. The H_ex of the as-deposited sample increased after deposition. These phenomena suggest that the spin structure at the interface between IrMn and NiFe fluctuates at room temperature.