Interlayer coupling and switching field of exchange coupled media

Abstract

The effects of interlayer coupling on switching field and magnetization reversal mechanism of Co72 Pt28 - SiO2 (hard) /Co- SiO2 (soft) exchange coupled media were investigated. The soft layer, with thickness less than the domain wall width, followed domain wall assisted switching mechanism for direct interlayer coupling between the hard and soft layers. It was effective in significantly reducing the switching field. The strength of interlayer coupling between the hard and soft layers was controlled by inserting the Pt intermediate layer between them. The reduced interlayer coupling led to independent switching of the hard and the soft layer and was ineffective in reducing the switching field. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.