Monte Carlo study on exchange bias and coercivity properties in coupled ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic films

Based on Monte Carlo simulation, a model consisting of an antiferromagnetic (AFM) film coupled to a ferromagnetic (FM) film is developed to study the exchange bias and coercivity phenomenon. It is suggested that exchange bias is a consequence of exchange coupling in the AFM/FM interface, and the AFM anisotropy needs to have a threshold value for the occurrence of exchange bias. Simultaneously, exchange bias and coercivity as functions of the value of anisotropy, exchange coupling and film thickness are studied. By inducing a thickness dependence of the anisotropy in FM film, the coercivity can be reduced or enhanced by choosing suitable magnetic parameters, which can better account for the discrepancies found in previous studies. The results also provide evidence for the absence of a direct correlation between coercivity and exchange bias, which is in agreement with other studies.