Structural and magnetic properties of transition metal oxide/metal bilayers prepared by in situ oxidation

Metal oxide/metal bilayers have been prepared by in situ oxidation. Ultrathin layers with antiferromagnetic properties are formed at room temperature by controlled in situ exposure of clean Fe, Co and Ni layers to pure oxygen gas. X-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy and transmisson electron microscopy have been applied to provide a detailed analysis of the layered structure. The magnetic properties of these antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic bilayers are characterized by an interfacial coupling (exchange bias) which drastically varies with the type of antiferromagnetic material. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.