Exchange bias enhancement through interdiffusion of NiFe/FeMn/metal films

The exchange bias field of the NiFe/FeMn system was found to increase from 30-35 Oe up to 75 Oe by annealing a three layer film structure of NiFe(300 AA)/FeMn/M (M=Au,Rh,Pt,Cr,Cu, etc.) at elevated temperature. Auger electron spectroscopy shows that interdiffusion occurred in the multilayer structure between the FeMn and the metal layer. The increase in exchange bias field is attributed to the altered interface of NiFe/FeMn due to the interdiffusion.<>