Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and magnetooptical properties of (Co/sub 1-x/Ni/sub x/)/Pd multilayers

The magnetic and magnetooptical properties of (Co/sub 1-x/Ni/sub x/)/Pd multilayers were systematically investigated. The addition of Ni to the Co layer simultaneously decreases the Curie temperature and Kerr rotation angle, but the decrease of the Curie temperature is larger. By controlling the Ni content it is possible to reduce the Curie temperature. The perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy also decreases with the addition of Ni, but the change is small. The interfacial anisotropy energy and volume anisotropy energy were calculated and discussed. Adding Ni to the Co layer can yield control of magnetic and magnetooptical properties, while maintaining a large effective perpendicular anisotropy energy.