Hysteresis-free magnetization reversal of exchange-coupled bilayers with finite magnetic anisotropy

Exchange-coupled structures consisting of ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic layers become technologically more and more important. We show experimentally the occurrence of completely reversible, hysteresis-free minor loops of [Co_{(0.2 nm ) /Ni (0.4 nm ) /Pt (0.6 nm ) ] N} multilayers exchange-coupled to a 20-nm-thick ferrimagnetic Tb₂₈Co₁₄Fe₅₈ layer, acting as a hard magnetic pinning layer. Furthermore, we present detailed theoretical investigations by means of micromagnetic simulations and, most importantly, a purely analytical derivation for the condition of the occurrence of full reversibility in magnetization reversal. Hysteresis-free loops always occur if a domain wall is formed during the reversal of the ferromagnetic layer and generates an intrinsic hard-axis bias field that overcomes the magnetic anisotropy field of the ferromagnetic layer. The derived condition further reveals that the magnetic anisotropy and the bulk exchange of both layers, as well as the exchange coupling strength and the thickness of the ferromagnetic layer, play an important role for its reversibility.