Magnetization Reversal Mechanism in Exchange-Biased Spring-like Thin-Film Composite.

Development of modern spintronic devices requires materials exhibiting specific magnetic effects. In this paper, we investigate a magnetization reversal mechanism in a [Co/Pd]/CoO/[Co/Pd] thin-film composite, where an antiferromagnet is sandwiched between a hard and a soft ferromagnets with different coercivities. The antiferromagnet/ferromagnet interfaces give rise to the exchange bias effect.

Ion induced ferromagnetism combined with self-assembly for large area magnetic modulation of thin films.

A highly versatile and scalable path to obtain buried magnetic nanostructures within alloy thin films, while maintaining a flat topography, is described. A magnetic pattern of nanoscale periodicity is generated over ∼cm2 areas by employing a B2 → A2 structural transition in the prototype Fe60Al40 thin alloy films. The phase transition was induced in the confined regions via ion-irradiation through self-assembled nanosphere masks.