Exchange Anisotropy in Epitaxial

(001) IrMn/CoFe epitaxial bilayers were fabricated on Si substrates at room temperature by using Cu underlayers. A double shifted loop was observed at the axis perpendicular to the exchange bias direction. The dependence of anisotropy on the IrMn thickness was studied. The magnetization reversal was investigated by using vector coil measurements and calculations based on Stoner–Wohlfarth model. A combination of reversible and irreversible rotation was observed for the magnetization reversal along the hard axis. Critical angles and fields at which irreversible rotation occurred were obtained through simulations.