Magnetic and magneto-optical properties of Pd/Cr/Co multilayers

Recent studies found that the (Pt/Co/Pt) trilayers can be used as a unit in combination with nonmagnetic or magnetic layer, X (X=Pd, Ag, Cu, and Ni), to enhance the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of the films, reduce the Curie temperature, and alter the magneto-optical properties. The effects of intercalating Cr into Pd/Co multilayers on the magnetic and magneto-optical properties are studied in this article. The perpendicular magnetic anisotropy Ku and the coercivity Hc of the system decrease rapidly with increasing the Cr thickness (XCr) up to 0.4 nm, and change slightly when Cr thickness further increases. The dependence of the coercivity Hc on the Cr thickness, which obeys the law: Hc (XCr)=XCr-2.66, indicates that the magnetization reversal is controlled by domain wall moving, mainly due to the interface roughness. Large decrease of the Kerr rotation θk of the Pd/Cr/Co multilayers compared with pure Pd/Co multilayers is also found in the wavelength ranging from 200 to 800 nm. As it is well known, the large anisotropy and Kerr rotation in Pd/Co system are mainly caused by the polarization of Pd atoms due to nearby Co atoms. As the intercalating of Cr layer between Pd and Co layer, the average polarization of Pd atoms will be reduced largely. As a matter of fact, the Cr atoms can also be polarized by nearby Co atoms, which, however, seems to take a minor effect on the anisotropy and Kerr rotation of the system. [copyright] 2001 American Institute of Physics