Magnetization behavior in exchange-coupled Co/TbFeCo films

The magnetization behavior in exchange-coupled Co/TbFeCo films with various Co thicknesses, as investigated by a vectorial vibrating sample magnetometer, is discussed. For the TbFeCo layer with 95-AA thickness, the critical thickness of a Co layer below which the Co moment is coupled with the TbFeCo moment to align along the film normal is found to be about 23-AA. This result is consistent with that previously found. It was found that an easy axis tilt from the film normal of even a few degrees plays an important role in the magnetization reversal where the Co and TbFeCo moments are decoupled for thick Co layer cases.<
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