Reversed magnetic anisotropy of (100) Pd/Ni/Cu structures

Abstract

(100) Ni films with an asymmetrical stress have been made by depositing Pd/Ni/Cu structures on Si. A completely reversed magnetic anisotropy is observed for the Ni layers of 50 Å and thinner in such structures, with the normal-to-plane magnetization being easier than the in-plane one. The results are compared with those of (100) Ni layers in symmetrical structures, where similarly reversed magnetic anisotropy is also observed, to assess the role of stress on such magnetic properties of (100) Ni.