Spin-reorientation in the heterostructure Co/SmFeO3

Element-specific imaging of magnetic domains in a ferromagnet/antiferromagnet heterostructure consisting of Co/SmFeO3 has been performed in the vicinity of the spin-reorientation phase transition in SmFeO3 using a photoemission electron microscope. Evidence is shown that a 90 degrees in-plane spin-reorientation in the antiferromagnetic SmFeO3 triggers a similar reorientation of spins of the ferromagnetic Co layer on top of it. The possibility of triggering the spin-reorientation with the help of laser-excitation is demonstrated.