Exchange magnetostriction in TbFe/FeCuNbSiB multilayers

The magnetostrictive changes arising from the magnetic transition have been investigated in TbFe/FeCuNbSiB multilayer systems. The spin-flop behavior of the magnetization has clearly been observed in the samples which possess in-plane anisotropy. The magnetostriction measured in the longitudinal (tr ansverse) direction shows an up and down (down and up) change associated wi th the spin-flop. The spin-flop field has been found to decrease with incre asing the Tb-Fe layer thickness. Furthermore, the spin-flop field decreases and the magnetic softness represented by susceptibility and coercivity are improved on annealing. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.