Sign change of exchange bias in [Pt/Co]3/IrMn multilayer

Abstract

The properties of exchange bias in a multilayer of [Pt(1.0 nm)/Co(1.0 nm)]2/Pt(tPt nm)/Co(1.0 nm)/ IrMn(12.0 nm) were investigated with a variation of Pt layer thickness, tPt. For tPt ≤ 1.6 nm, it was typically observed that Co layers were ferromagnetically coupled while IrMn layer exhibited negative exchange bias. With increasing Pt thickness, antiferromagnetic (AF) interlayer coupling strength increased and caused AF spin configuration between the Co layers. With further increasing of Pt thickness (tPt = 2.5 nm), the exchange bias between Co and IrMn layers was changed from negative to positive. Therefore, a large enhancement of AF interlayer coupling induced the sign change of exchange bias from negative to positive and resulted in a drastic change of switching behavior in a magnetization reversal. Both extraordinary Hall-effect and magnetoresistance were measured to verify the exchange bias direction and spin configurations upon magnetization reversal.