Competition between interfacial and interlayer exchange couplings in Co/Cr 2O 3/Fe trilayers

Abstract

The temperature dependence of competition between interlayer and interfacial couplings is observed at different temperatures in Co (3 nm)/Cr 2O 3 ( t)/Fe (10 nm) trilayers with t = 3 nm, 6 nm, 15 nm and 25 nm, respectively. The interlayer coupling enhances and the interfacial coupling weakens with increasing temperature. The balanceable temperature between interfacial and interlayer couplings shifts to low temperatures with increasing spacer thickness. Furthermore, the competition between interfacial and interlayer couplings greatly affects the magnetotransport properties of the trilayers. The negative magnetoresistance and the minimum resistance corresponding to balanceable temperature are found in trilayers.