Structure and oscillatory coupling in NiFe/Ag multilayers with low coercivity

Abstract Multilayers composed of 40×[Ni 83 Fe 17 /Ag] with constant thickness of Py (20 A) and variable Ag thickness ( 7 A ⩽ t Ag ⩽25 A ) were deposited by RF sputtering onto the glass substrate. Best artificial superlattice properties: the smallest deviations from bulk interplanar distances of Ag and Py and smallest interfacial roughness were obtained for t Ag >19 A. The oscillation period of A–F coupling against Ag spacer is 12 A.