XMCD measurements of exchange biased PtMn/Co bilayers

Abstract The magnetic properties of a series of PtMn (t A )/ Co (20 A ) (t=50, 100, 150, 200 A ) exchange biased films are investigated using bulk magnetometry and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). From the bulk magnetometry measurements, the exchange field and coercivity is observed to increase with PtMn thickness. XMCD spectra are used to probe the interface region between the ferromagnetic Co and antiferromagnetic PtMn. The observed Mn XMCD is indicative of uncompensated Mn at the interface. These uncompensated Mn spins may be partially responsible for the increased coercivity observed in this exchange biased system.