Perpendicular Coupling in Exchange-Biased <span class="aps-inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>Fe</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>3</mn></mrow></msub></mrow><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>O</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>4</mn></mrow></msub></mrow><mi>/</mi><mi>CoO</mi></math></span> Superlattices

Y. Ijiri; J. A. Borchers; R. W. Erwin; S.-H. Lee; P. J. van der Zaag; R. M. Wolf

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.80.608

Perpendicular Coupling in Exchange-Biased ${Fe}_{3} O_{4} / CoO$ Superlattices

Y. Ijiri, J. A. Borchers, R. W. Erwin, S.-H. Lee, P. J. van der Zaag, and R. M. Wolf

Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, 608 – Published 19 January 1998

Abstract

The CoO antiferromagnetic ordering in exchange-biased (001) ${Fe}_{3} O_{4} / CoO$ superlattices has been determined as a function of temperature and magnetic field using neutron diffraction methods. The Co spins preferentially align in domains in which the spins are perpendicular to the net ${Fe}_{3} O_{4}$ moment direction. This 90° orientation between the ${Fe}_{3} O_{4}$ and CoO spins is a direct consequence of the interfacial exchange coupling giving rise to exchange biasing, as is not observed in a comparable MgO/CoO superlattice.