Inter-Layer Exchange Coupling in $\hbox{Fe}_{2}\hbox{CrSi/Fe}_{2}\hbox{VSi}$ Multilayers Fabricated on $\hbox{MgAl}_{2}\hbox{O}_{4}$ Substrates

Abstract

In this study, we have fabricated Heusler alloy Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> CrSi/Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> VSi superlattice on MgAl <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> O <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> substrate and have investigated inter-layer exchange coupling among Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> CrSi layers. Biquadratic coupling is dominated below the Neel temperature of Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> VSi. By comparing magnetic coupling energy at 77 K and room temperature, it is suggested that the inter-layer exchange coupling is dominated by the proximity effect, i.e. the antiferromagnetic alignment of magnetic moments in Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> VSi spacer layer.