Effect of the Ferromagnetic Layer Thickness on the Blocking Temperature in IrMn/CoFe Exchange Couples

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effect of the Ferromagnetic Layer Thickness on the Blocking Temperature in IrMn/CoFe Exchange Couples

AU - Vallejo Fernandez, Gonzalo

AU - Kaeswurm, B.

AU - Fernandez-Outon, L. E.

AU - O'Grady, K.

PY - 2008/11

Y1 - 2008/11

N2 - In this work we present a study of the thermal stability of IrMn/CoFe exchange couples as a function of the thickness of the ferromagnetic (F) layer t(F). We find a monotonic decrease in the average blocking temperature < T-B > with t(F) of up to 29% for t(F) = 12 nm. We have quantified the effect of the exchange field (H*) from the F layer on the antiferromagnetic (AF) layer and its effect on the thermal stability of the AF. H* can increase the degree of thermal activation by up to 44%.

AB - In this work we present a study of the thermal stability of IrMn/CoFe exchange couples as a function of the thickness of the ferromagnetic (F) layer t(F). We find a monotonic decrease in the average blocking temperature < T-B > with t(F) of up to 29% for t(F) = 12 nm. We have quantified the effect of the exchange field (H*) from the F layer on the antiferromagnetic (AF) layer and its effect on the thermal stability of the AF. H* can increase the degree of thermal activation by up to 44%.

KW - Blocking temperature

KW - exchange bias

KW - IrMn

KW - BILAYERS

KW - SYSTEMS

KW - BIAS

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=75149121752&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1109/TMAG.2008.2001812

DO - 10.1109/TMAG.2008.2001812

M3 - Article

SN - 0018-9464

VL - 44

SP - 2835

EP - 2838

JO - IEEE Transactions on Magnetics

JF - IEEE Transactions on Magnetics

IS - 11

ER -