Structural and magnetic properties of perpendicular L10-FePt/[Co/Pt]N exchange coupled composite films

Perpendicular exchange coupled composite is prepared, with L10-FePt (5 nm) as the hard layer and [Co(0.2 nm)/Pt(t1 nm)]N multilayer as the soft layer. Both the hard and soft magnetic layers are of perpendicular magnetization. Significant reductions of the coercivity field are observed with the thickness increase of the soft Co/Pt multilayers, in both FePt/[Co(0.2)/Pt(0.6)]N and FePt/[Co(0.2)/Pt(0.3)]N series. Moreover, higher saturation magnetization of the soft layer is favorable for greater coercivity reduction.

► L10-FePt/[Co/Pt]N exchange coupled composite (ECC) films have been prepared. ► Both L10-FePt and [Co/Pt]N are of perpendicular magnetization. ► Significant reductions of coercivity are shown in these ECC films. ► Higher saturation magnetization of [Co/Pt]N benefits further coercivity reduction.