Abstract

Polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) is commonly used to characterize the depth-dependent nuclear density and magnetization profiles of thin films and multilayers. While specular reflectivity is connected with characteristics perpendicular to the sample surface, in-plane features cause off-specular scattering. In this work we present time-of-flight PNR results on (FeCoV/TiZr) multilayers with applied fields parallel to the in-plane easy axis of magnetization. Our measurements at low applied fields clearly show diffuse scattering. We attribute this scattering to randomly oriented magnetic domains, with no coupling between the magnetic FeCoV layers. With increasing applied field the domain scattering decreases. At the same time, off-specular scattering with a well-defined relation between the wavelength and the scattering angle increases with increasing applied field. This type of scattering can be attributed to correlated interfaces.

Author Keywords: Polarized neutron reflectometry; Magnetic multilayers; Off-specular scattering; Interfacial roughness

PACS classification codes: 03.75.Be; 61.12.Ex; 61.12.Ha; 75.25.+z; 75.70.Ak.; 75.70.Cn; 75.70.Kw

Article Outline

1. Introduction

2. Results and discussion

3. Conclusion

Acknowledgements

References

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Fig. 1. Contour map of spin-up (a) and spin-down (b) neutron scattering from a (FeCoV/TiZr) multilayer, with an applied field of 5.1 kOe along the easy axis.

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Fig. 3. Field dependence of spin-up (a) and spin-down (b) neutron scattering. All intensities are averaged for 0.4 nm << 0.5 nm. The inset shows the easy axis hysteresis loop.

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Fig. 2. Contour map of spin-up neutron scattering from a (FeCoV/TiZr) multilayer, with an applied field of 120 Oe along the easy axis.

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Corresponding author. Fax: +31-15-278-8303; email: kruijs@iri.tudelft.nl