SPIN REVERSAL IN CO AU(111) CA TRILAYERS

In Co/Au(111)/Co trilayers exhibiting oscillatory interlayer coupling, we show how the nature and the strength of this interaction modify th e magnetization reversal. In the case of antiferromagnetic (AF) coupli ng the magnetic domain patterns observed by Faraday microscopy differ drastically according to the amplitude of the coupling. This effect ca n be understood on the basis of the fluctuations of the effective fiel d acting on a layer produced by the roughness of the Au interlayer. Am ong the ferromagnetically (F) coupled layers slighter differences are visible that can be accounted by changes of the anisotropy energy.