Interplay between magnetic anisotropy and interlayer coupling in nanosecond magnetization reversal of spin-valve trilayers

TL;DR

This study investigates how magnetic anisotropy affects rapid magnetization reversal in FeNi/Cu/Co trilayers, revealing that anisotropy type influences domain structure and reversal mechanisms at nanosecond timescales.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the interplay between magnetic anisotropy and interlayer coupling during fast magnetization reversal in spin-valve trilayers.

Findings

In quasi-isotropic samples, domain wall pinning governs reversal.

Uniaxial anisotropy leads to larger domains and dominant interlayer coupling effects.

Domain structures and reversal mechanisms depend on anisotropy type.

Abstract

The influence of magnetic anisotropy on nanosecond magnetization reversal in coupled FeNi/Cu/Co trilayers was studied using a photoelectron emission microscope combined with x-ray magnetic circular dicroism. In quasi-isotropic samples the reversal of the soft FeNi layer is determined by domain wall pinning that leads to the formation of small and irregular domains. In samples with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, the domains are larger and the influence of local interlayer coupling dominates the domain structure and the reversal of the FeNi layer.