SPIN-POLARIZED NEUTRON-SCATTERING STUDY OF NICO CU MULTILAYERS/

Spin polarized neutron reflectometry measurements were performed on Ni 80Co20/Cu multilayers with a Cu spacer thickness of 20 Angstrom, corre sponding to the second oscillation peak in the magnetoresistance of th e NiCo/Cu multilayer system. Measurements in a 15 Oe field indicate a nearly perfect antiferromagnetic stacking of the magnetic moments in s uccessive Ni80Co20 layers. The existence of a small magnetic anisotrop y in these magnetically soft multilayers leads to the canting of the m agnetic moments at an angle of similar to 70 degrees with respect to t he neutron spin polarization. This interIayer antiferromagnetic coupli ng can be suppressed by an applied held of similar to 200 Oe. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.