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On the Physics of Magnetic Anisotropy in Co/Pd Multilayer Thin Films

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

Darren Smith ,
Shishan Zhang ,
Wolfgang Donner ,
E Chunsheng ,
T Randall Lee ,
Sahkrat Khizroev  and
Dmitri Litvinov
Darren Smith
Affiliation:
Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77004
Shishan Zhang
Affiliation:
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77004
Wolfgang Donner
Affiliation:
Physics, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77004
E Chunsheng
Affiliation:
Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77004
T Randall Lee
Affiliation:
Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77004
Sahkrat Khizroev
Affiliation:
Electrical Engineering, University of California - Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521
Dmitri Litvinov
Affiliation:
Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77004
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Abstract

(Co/Pd)N multilayers with Co and Pd layer thicknesses of only a few monolayers exhibit high vertical magnetic anisotropy and have been extensively explored as recording medium candidates for high density magnetic recording applications. In the work reported here, the magnetic properties of (Co/Pd)N multilayers deposited by magnetron sputtering and designed for bit-patterned medium applications are correlated with X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) data – an approach commonly used to probe the binding energies and valence band positions. Although the XPS probing depth is limited to ˜2–3 nm, it is sufficient for the evaluation of the 1–2 topmost bilayers in a multilayer stack, and allows us to infer the relevant details of the bandstructure of the entire film. Confirming theoretical predictions, we demonstrate that the degree of d-shell hybridization at Co/Pd interfaces directly correlates with the magnitude of the magnetic anisotropy. Significantly, the highest hybridization of Pd atoms is observed for about one monolayer thick Co layers in the bilayer stack. Variation of the deposition conditions (e.g., deposition pressure) shows a measurable influence on d-electron hybridization, multilayer microstructure, and magnetic anisotropy.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 998: Symposium J – Nanoscale Magnetics and Device Applications , 2007 , 998-J04-04
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

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References

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