An exchange coupling and thermal stability study in Fe(Pt)Mn/NiFe films has
been investigated. When Pt atoms were added to an FeMn layer, most of the
properties in the FeMn/NiFe films were improved. The resistivity increased
with increasing Pt content. The exchange coupling field had a maximum value
for a film with about 5-8 at. % Pt. Especially, it was found that the addi
tion of Pt to the FeMn layer improved considerably the thermal stability of
exchange coupling in the FeMn/NiFe films. In Fe39Pt6Mn55(7 nm)/NiFe(10 nm)
films, an exchange coupling field of 100 Oe and a coercivity of 40 Oe were
obtained after annealing at 300 degreesC. From the result of Auger analysi
s, it was found that diffusion of the interface was suppressed by Pt additi
on. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.