Exchange anisotropy — a review

Abstract

Exchange anisotropy refers to the magnetic manifestations of an exchange coupling at the interface between two different magnetically ordered systems. Of particular current technological interest is the unidirectional anisotropy, or `exchange-bias’ field produced in a ferromagnetic film that is coupled to an appropriate antiferromagnetic film. Experimental characterization and theoretical models are discussed for these types of bilayers for a variety of metallic and oxide film couples.