Effects of arriving atom kinetic energy on the structure and magnetic properties of thin sputter-deposited films

Thin multilayer films are of growing importance as magnetic sensors. One key parameter in their performance is the interlayer magnetic coupling field which can vary in both sign and strength. Experiments performed to explore the effects of sputter deposition methods on the coupling fields observed for Co/Cu multilayers and spin valves on single crystal substrates are described. Scanning Tunneling Microscopy is used to qualitatively understand the large differences in observed coupling fields.