Magnetic and magneto-optical properties of Pd/Au/Pd/Co and Pd/Cu/Pd/Co multilayers

Abstract

To study the role of interfaces on magnetic properties, the magnetic anisotropy was systematically investigated for evaporated [Pd( t Å)/X( z Å)/Pd( t Å)/Co( y Å)] 15 (X=Au, Cu, Pd) multilayers. The magnetic anisotropy for the multilayers changes with varying an interfacial Pd layer thickness. The anisotropy energy took a maximum value for [Pd( t Å)/Au(25−2 t Å) /Pd( t Å)/Co(6 Å)] 15 multilayers with Pd layer thickness around 5 Å. The anisotropy for [Pd( t Å)/Cu(25−2 t Å) /Pd( t Å)/Co(6 Å)] 15 multilayers increased with increasing Pd layer thickness. The difference is due to the interface anisotropy. The saturation magnetization for multilayers shows a dependence on the Pd layer thickness. The magnetostatic energy for multilayers is discussed and it is found that change of magnetization at the interface contributes to the interface anisotropy. Enhancement of Kerr rotation was observed, which corresponds to the plasma edge of the intermediate layer.