Sequential magnetic switching in Fe/MgO(001) superlattices

• Polarized neutron reflectometry is used to determine the sequence of magnetic switching in interlayer exchangecoupled Fe/MgO(001) superlattices in an applied magnetic field. For 19.6 Å thick MgO layers we obtain a 90◦periodic magnetic alignment between adjacent Fe layers at remanence. In an increasing applied field the toplayer switches first followed by its second-nearest neighbor. For 16.4 Å MgO layers, a 180◦periodic alignment isobtained at remanence and with increasing applied field the layer switching starts from the two outermost layersand proceeds inwards. This sequential tuneable switching opens up the possibility of designing three-dimensionalmagnetic structures with a predefined discrete switching sequence

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Annan fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Other Physics Topics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Magnetization Switching

Neutron Reflectometry

Superlattice

Magnetic Multilayer

Exchange Interaction

Coupling

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)