Magnetization property in Ta/NiFe/Ta sandwich structure

A partial perpendicular anisotropy and a reproducible inverted minor hyster esis loop with a negative remanence were observed in Ta/NiFe/Ta. The minor inverted hysteresis loop appears only when the magnetic field is perpendicu lar to the film plane normal or deviates at several degrees from the normal of the film plane. This phenomenon is ascribed to the antiferromagnetic-li ke coupling between the co-existent minor magnetic moment with perpendicula r anisotropy at the Ta/NiFe interface and major magnetic moment with in-pla ne anisotropy in the bulk of NiFe layer. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.