Magnetoelastic resonance as a probe for exchange springs at antiferromagnet-ferromagnet interfaces

In prototype ferromagnet-antiferromagnet interfaces we demonstrate that surface acoustic waves can be used to identify complex magnetic phases arising upon evolution of exchange springs in an applied field. Applying sub-GHz surface acoustic waves to study the domain structure of the ferromagnetic layer in exchange-biased bilayers of Ir20Mn80-Co60Fe20B20, we are able to associate the magnetoelastic resonance with the presence of the exchange spin-spirals in both the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic layer. Our findings offer a complementary, integrative insight into emergent magnetic materials for applications of noncollinear spin textures in view of low-energy-consumption spintronic devices.

Automated summary

In this study, it is shown that surface acoustic waves can be used to identify complex magnetic phases that arise during the evolution of exchange springs in an applied field at prototype ferromagnet-antiferromagnet interfaces. The findings provide a complementary and integrative insight into emergent magnetic materials for the applications of noncollinear spin textures in low-energy-consumption spintronic devices.