MFM STUDY ON TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENCE OF DOMAIN CONFIGURATION IN NIFE FILMS EXCHANGE BIASED BY FEMN

Magnetic force microscopy technique has been utilized to study domain configurations in FeMn exchange biased NiFe film patterned into microm eter scale rectangular elements at elevated temperatures. MFM images c learly show the formation process of the multidomain configuration as the exchange bias field weakens at elevated temperatures. It is conclu ded that the reduction of exchange bias field is not spatially uniform at micrometer scale. Formation of cross-tie structures along domain w alls seems to be favored at the elevated temperatures.