THERMAL-WAVE INTERACTIONS IN MAGNETIC-MATERIALS

A technique to sense the magnetic characteristics of the individual la yers of a multi-layer structure is demonstrated It detects the interac tion between a thermal wave and the magnetization dependent thermal tr ansport properties of the medium. A modulated laser beam is used to ge nerate a thermal wave at the surface of a thin film sample and launch it into the medium. The amplitude and phase of the wave are modulated by the thermal properties of the medium as it propagates; Initial resu lts for a AgNiFe magnetic thin film under a non-magnetic: overlayer ha ve successfully measured the magnetization dependent thermal conductiv ity. The measurements agree well with those obtained from the magnetiz ation dependent resistivity.