Probing interface magnetism in the FeMn/NiFe exchange bias system using magnetic second-harmonic generation

• Published in: Europhysics letters Vol. 63; no. 6; pp. 819 - 825
• Main Authors: Sampaio, L. C, Mougin, A, Ferré, J, Georges, P, Brun, A, Bernas, H, Poppe, S, Mewes, T, Fassbender, J, Hillebrands, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Les Ulis IOP Publishing 01-09-2003; EDP sciences; European Physical Society / EDP Sciences / Società Italiana di Fisica / IOP Publishing
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Instrumentation and Detectors; Interfacial magnetic properties (multilayers, magnetic quantum wells, superlattices, magnetic heterostructures); Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers; Metals. Metallurgy; Physics; Radiation effects; Second harmonic generation; Interface magnetism; Nickel alloys; Magnetization; Fluence; Kerr magneto-optical effect; Ferromagnetic materials; Polycrystals; Iron alloys; Solid-solid interfaces; Experimental study; Ion beams; Magnetic susceptibility; Irreversible processes; Binary alloys; Manganese alloys; Exchange interactions; Bilayers
• ISSN: 0295-5075; 1286-4854
• DOI: 10.1209/epl/i2003-00598-7

Second-harmonic generation magneto-optic Kerr effect (SHMOKE) experiments, sensitive to buried interfaces, were performed on a polycrystalline FeMn/NiFe bilayer in which areas with different exchange bias fields were prepared using 5 keV He ion irradiation. Both reversible and irreversible uncompensated spins, localized and measured in the antiferromagnetic layer close to the interface with the ferromagnetic layer, are related to the exchange bias field.