Exchange bias and training effect are simulated for IrMn/NiFe bilayers. As a function of the thickness of the antiferromagnet the bias field shows a maximum for a thickness of 22 nm. For decreasing antiferromagnetic thickness the domain wall energy approaches zero, For large thicknesses the high anisotropy energy hinders switching of the antiferromagnetic grains resulting in weak bias. Starting from the field cooled state as initial configuration a bias field of about 8 mT is obtained assuming a antiferromagnetic layer thickness of 20 nm a ferromagnetic layer thickness of 10 nm, and a grain size of 10 nm. The next hysteresis cycle shows a reduction of the bias field by about 65%. Exchange bias and training effect in fully compensated antiferromagnet/ferromagnet bilayers are explained with a simple micromagnetic model. The model assumes no defects except for grain boundaries, and coupling is due to spin flop at a perfect interface. The simulations show that a weak exchange interaction between randomly oriented antiferromagnetic grains and spin flop coupling at a perfectly compensated interface are sufficient to support exchange bias.

Heterostructures consist of combinations of different materials, which are in contact through at least one interface. Magnetic heterostructures combine different physical properties which do not exist in nature. This book provides the first comprehensive overview of an exciting and fast developing field of research, which has already resulted in numerous applications and is the basis for future spintronic devices.

This book combines the proceedings of Symposium Q, Magnetoelectronics-Novel Magnetic Phenomena in Nanostructures, and Symposium R, Advanced Characterization of Artificially Structured Magnetic Materials, both from the 2002 MRS Fall Meeting in Boston. The common focus is on artificially engineered nanostructured magnetic systems. The two symposia address new phenomena in magnetoelectronic applications, their preparation, and advanced methodology for characterization. Interest in nanomagnetism has been catalyzed by advances in two fields of research. 1) Advances in materials synthesis of structures whose length scales transcend magnetic length scales and open the possibility for creating materials with new magnetic properties. Such structures include interfaces, superlattices, tunneling devices, nanostructures, and single-molecule magnets. 2) Advances in sample characterization techniques for nano-magnetism which allow detailed exploration of structure-property relationships in nanostructured magnetic systems. The volume highlights current trends in both fields and offers an outlook for further advances and new capabilities.

This first focused treatment on a hot topic highlights fundamental aspects as well as technological applications arising from a fascinating area of condensed matter physics. The editors have excellent track records and, in light of the broadness of the topic, retain the focus on antiferromagnetic oxides. They thus cover such topics as dichroism in x-ray absorption, non-magnetic substrates, exchange bias, ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic interface coupling and oxide multilayers, as well as imaging using soft x-ray microscopy. The result is a very timely monograph for solid state physicists and chemists, materials scientists, electrical engineers, physicists in industry, physical laboratory technicians, and suppliers of sensors.

The book Ferromagnetic Resonance - Theory and Applications highlights recent advances at the interface between the science and technology of nanostructures (bilayer-multilayers, nanowires, spinel type nanoparticles, photonic crystal, etc.). The electromagnetic resonance techniques have become a central field of modern scientific and technical activity. The modern technical applications of ferromagnetic resonance are in spintronics, electronics, space navigation, remote-control equipment, radio engineering, electronic computers, maritime, electrical engineering, instrument-making and geophysical methods of prospecting.

In a new branch of physics and technology, called spin-electronics or spintronics, the flow of electrical charge (usual current) as well as the flow of electron spin, the so-called "spin current", are manipulated and controlled together. This book is intended to provide an introduction and guide to the new physics and applications of spin current.

This research monograph presents the latest results related to the characterization of low dimensional systems. Low-angle polarized neutron scattering and X-ray scattering at grazing incidence are used as the two main techniques to explore various physical phenomena of these systems. Special focus is put on systems like thin film transition metal and rare-earth layers, oxide heterostructures, hybrid systems, self-assembled nanostructures and self-diffusion. Readers will gain in-depth knowledge about the usage of specular scattering and off-specular scattering techniques. Investigation of in-plane and out-of-plane structures and magnetism with vector magnetometric information is illustrated comprehensively. The book caters to a wide audience working in the field of nano-dimensional magnetic systems and the neutron and X-ray reflectometry community in particular.

We have studied the magnetic stability in exchange bias and exchange spring systems prepared via epitaxial sputter deposition. The two interfacial exchange coupled systems, Fe/Cr(211) double superlattices consisting of a ferromagnetic and an antiferromagnetic Fe/Cr superlattice that are exchange coupled through a Cr spacer, and Sin-Co/Fe exchange-spring bilayer structures with ferromagnetically coupled hard Sin-Co layer and soft Fe layer, were epitaxially grown on suitably prepared Cr buffer layers to give rise to different microstructure and magnetic anisotropy. The magnetic stability was investigated using the magneto-optic Kerr effect during repeated reversal of the soft layer magnetization by field cycling up to 107 times. For uniaxial Fe/Cr exchange biased double superlattices and exchange spring bilayers with uniaxial Sin-Co, small but rapid initial decay in the exchange bias field HE and in the remanent magnetization is observed. However, the exchange spring bilayers with biaxial and random in-plane anisotropy in the Sin-Co layer shows gradual decay in H{sub E} and without large reduction of the magnetization. The different decay behaviors are attributed to the different microstructure and spin configuration of the pinning layers.