Preparation and magnetization reversal of exchange bias structured thin films

Magnetically patterned thin films of NiFe/IrMn/Ta-NiFe/IrMnOx with laterally modulated unidirectional anisotropy were prepared by local oxidation of the antiferromagnetic IrMn layer. Varying the lateral dimensions and orientation with respect to the anisotropy modulation, the films exhibit different magnetization reversal behaviors. While stripes aligned parallel to the unidirectional anisotropy direction display a spin valve-like two step hysteresis loop, perpendicular orientation lead to a single step shifted hysteresis loop. Magnetic domain observation reveals separate switching of the stripes for the parallel alignment and simultaneous reversal for the perpendicular orientation. By decreasing the lateral dimensions, quasi-domain states have been observed. The presented magnetic data of the exchange biased-patterned films show that we did succeed in creating an alternative method for the preparation of materials with new hybrid properties