Layer-dependent magnetic-moment distribution in an epitaxial double spin valve structure: Si(001)/Cu/FeNi/Cu/Co/Cu/FeNi/Cu

Polarized neutron reflectivity was used to determine, layer selectively, th e magnetic moments, spin orientations, and thicknesses of an epitaxial doub le spin valve structure of the form Si(001)/Cu/FeNi/Cu/Co/Cu/FeNi/Cu. Absol ute values of the average magnetic moment per atom were determined within a n error BE similar to+/-5%. At saturation, the layer-averaged magnetic mome nt per Co atom was found to be 1.71 +/- 0.08 mu(B), while the top (bottom) FeNi layer moment was 1.08 +/- 006 mu(B) (0.95 +/- 0.08 mu(B)). For an appl ied field strength H-a smaller than the Co layer coercive field of similar to 100 Oe, the Co and FeNi layer magnetization vectors are found to lie in plane but canted with respect to each other in contrast to the fully antipa rallel state predicted by simple energy minimization. The observed canting is attributed to the presence of magnetic domains in the Co layer. [S0163-1 829(99)10233-9].