Buried Interfaces and Spin Orientation in [Co/Pt]10 /Fe multilayer with Orthogonal Magnetic Anisotropy: Effect of Fe Thickness

TL;DR

This study investigates how Fe layer thickness influences spin orientation and magnetic coupling in [Co/Pt] multilayer/Fe systems with orthogonal anisotropy, revealing depth-dependent coupling variations and spin reorientation behaviors.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the depth-dependent magnetic coupling and spin reorientation mechanisms in [Co/Pt] multilayer/Fe structures with varying Fe thickness.

Findings

Fe layer reorients from out-of-plane to in-plane with increased thickness

Coupling strength varies along the Fe layer depth

Interface spins are strongly coupled and out-of-plane, while interior spins are weakly coupled and in-plane

Abstract

In the present work, spin orientation and variation of the strength of coupling in [Co/Pt]ML/Fe multilayer have been investigated as a function of the thickness of the Fe layer. [Co/Pt]ML/Fe multilayer has orthogonal anisotropy with the Fe layer, and [Co/Pt]ML has in-plane magnetic anisotropy and perpendicular anisotropy, respectively. Measurements are performed using in-situ magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) and isotope-sensitive depth-resolved nuclear resonance scattering (NRS) technique. Real-time in-situ MOKE measurement during Fe growth reveals that with an increase in thickness of the Fe layer, moments of Fe layer reorientation from out of the plane to in-plane direction. This is attributed to the decrease in the coupling between the [Co/Pt]ML and Fe layer. For the depth-dependent study, two [Co/Pt]ML/Fe multilayers having the same thickness but different positions of the Fe57 marker layer ([Co/Pt]MLFe/Fe57) and [Co/Pt]MLFe57/Fe ) were studied using the NRS technique. Films with varying external magnetic fields were also studied to investigate coupling strength. Measurements were performed under the x-ray standing wave conditions to enhance resonance yield. It is observed that for the 75 {\AA} Fe in [Co/Pt]ML/Fe multilayer, the coupling varies along the depth of the Fe layer. The coupling is strong at [Co/Pt]ML and Fe interface with spins of the Fe layer aligned in the out-of-plane direction, whereas moments away from the interface are weakly coupled and aligned in-plane along the magnetic easy axis. Due to this gradient in strength of coupling along the depth, a large magnetic field is required to reorient spins at the interface along the magnetic hard axis of the Fe layer; however, spins away from the interface can rotate freely even in the low magnetic field.