Magnetic hysteresis in Ni/Pb multilayers

Abstract

The hysteresis in Ni/Pb multilayers with layer thickness of 1.7, 5.5, 9.4 and 24.8 nm have been examined at low and room temperatures. The Stoner-Wohlfarth model, modified by the introduction of a constant internal field, well describes the shape of experimental hysteresis loops. The two components of internal field and anisotropy constant are fit to an individual loop. The transversal component of the internal field is related to a dispersion of local magnetization directions and determines a deviation of the rotation process from the Stoner-Wohlfarth model. At room temperature, the transversal component of the internal field for Ni/Pb multilayers is about 1000 Oe and is much greater than the effective anisotropy field and, as a result, the directions of magnetization rotate smoothly under the influence of resultant field. At low temperature, the longitudal component of the internal field is of the order of 1000 Oe and determines the incoherent rotations.