Ferromagnetic resonance in a Ni-Mo superlattice

Abstract

Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements, at room temperature and at 4.2 K, have been made on a layered Ni (249 Å)-Mo(83 Å) superlattice. We have examined the resonance position as a function of the angle between the film normal and the applied field. The measured g value agrees with that of bulk Ni, but the magnetization is lower than that obtained for bulk Ni and also for this sample using both light scattering and direct measurement techniques. This low magnetization contrasts with FMR measurements on compositionally modulated Ni-Cu samples, where the magnetization was reported to be greater than that of bulk Ni. We show that a reduced value of the magnetization is consistent with perpendicular uniaxial anisotropy. When the applied field is less than 20° from the surface normal, additional lines appear that move to higher fields than the main resonance. These lines are consistent with the existence of nonuniform regions of distinct magnetization. An observed resonance, which is suggestive of a spin-wave mode, is discussed.