Magnetic patterning of Fe/Cr/Fe(001) trilayers by Ga+ ion irradiation

Authors :: Blomeier, S.
Hillebrands, B.
Demidov, V.E.
Demokritov, S.O.
Reuscher, B.
Brodyanski, A.
Kopnarski, M.
Source :: Journal of Applied Physics. Nov 1, 2005, Vol. 98 Issue 9, 093503-1-093503-6
Publication Year :: 2005
Abstract: Magnetic patterning of antiferromagnetically coupled epitaxial Fe (10 nm/Cr (0.7 nm)/Fe (10 nm) (001) trilayers by irradiation with 30 keV Ga+ ions is studied by means of atomic force microscopy, magnetic force microscopy, and Kerr magnetometry. It is showed that a fluence regime exists which allows for a complete transition from the initial antiferromagnetic state to the ferromagnetic state and at the same time, preserves the flatness of the patterned system.