Abstract
The exchange coupling between PtFe and Fe in PtFe/Fe films with Cr2O3 or Cr2O3/Cu spacer layers is indirect and long range. Microstructures of as-deposited and annealed thin films are studied. Coercivity over 10 kOe is obtained in PtFe/Cr2O3(5 Å)/Fe(25 Å) films but decrease with thicker Cr2O3 spacer layer. Comparably, coercivity can be maintained at about 10 kOe if spacer layer is changed into Cr2O3(x Å)/Cu(5 Å) (5 Å ≤ x ≤ 25 Å). For a fixed total thickness of the spacer layers, the coercivity generally decreases with gradual replacement of Cr2O3 by Cu, indicating the different effects of spacer layers on mediating the exchange coupling between PtFe and Fe. Using Cr2O3 or Cr2O3/Cu as a spacer layer is a promising way for realizing exchange-coupled PtFe/Fe composite films.
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