Vogel, J., Kuch, W., Camarero, J., Fukumoto, K., Pennec, Y., Pizzini, S., Bonfim, M., Petroff, F., Fontaine, A., Kirschner, J.
Interplay between magnetic anisotropy and interlayer coupling in nanosecond magnetization reversal of spin-valve trilayers
Physical Review B 71, (6),pp 060404(R)/1-4 (2005)
The influence of magnetic anisotropy on nanosecond magnetization reversal in coupled FeNi/Cu/Co trilayers was studied using a photoelectron emission microscope combined with x-ray magnetic circular dicroism. In quasi-isotropic samples the reversal of the soft FeNi layer is determined by domain-wall pinning that leads to the formation of small and irregular domains. In samples with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, the domains are larger and the influence of local interlayer coupling dominates the domain structure and the reversal of the FeNi layer.