Coercivity and induced anisotropy of multilayer films

The effects of annealing on the crystal and magnetic structures and magnetic properties of Co/Cu/Co films with antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic coupling between Co layers were studied using transmission electron microscopy, Lorentz microscopy, atomic force microscopy, ferromagnetic resonance, and the magnetic induction method. The components of the coercivity and induced anisotropy of multilayer films are estimated theoretically. It is demonstrated that the behavior of the coercivity and induced anisotropy under thermal treatment is governed by changes in structural defects and indirect exchange.