Nanostructure and magnetization reversal process in TbFeCo/Yx(FeCo)1-x spring-magnet type multilayers

Studies of the naturally formed nanostructure and magnetization reversal process were performed for the sputtered Tb(Fe0.55Co0.45)(1.5)/Y-x(Fe0.7Co0.3)(1-x) Multilayers (0less than or equal toxless than or equal to0.2) with a TbFeCo layer thickness t(TbFeCo) = 12nm and YFeCo layer thickness t(YFeCo) = 10 nm. The structural investigations showed that nanocrystals are naturally formed and coexist within the amorphous matrix in Y-0.1(FeCo)(0.9) layers. In this state, low magnetic coercivity and large parallel magnetostrictive susceptibility are observed. The results are discussed in terms of the crystalline discontinuity of the soft YFeCo layers. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.