Influence of annealing on Co/Au multilayers: a structural and magnetic study

Abstract

The effect of annealing treatments (at T = 250 degreesC) on both the structural and magnetic properties of sputtered (Co(d(Co))/Au(22 Angstrom)) X 30 multilayers with d(Co) = 6, 9 and 12 Angstrom was studied. X-ray reflectivity and high angle diffraction measurements allowed us to estimate bilayer thickness and interface quality of the multilayers. Magnetic characterization, performed by alternating gradient force magnetometry, magnetic force microscopy and Brillouin light scattering from spin waves, indicates that all the as-prepared samples display perpendicular anisotropy. Upon annealing the perpendicular anisotropy for d(Co) = 9 and 12 Angstrom multilayers is enhanced while it is weakened for d(Co) = 6 Angstrom. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.