Angular dependence of the magnetization reversal in exchange biased Fe/MnF2

Abstract

A detailed study of exchange-biased Fe/MnF2 bilayers using magneto-optical Kerr Effect shows that the magnetization reversal occurs almost fully through domain wall nucleation and propagation for external fields parallel to the exchange bias direction. For finite angles phi between bias and external field the magnetization is aligned perpendicular to the field cooling direction for a limited field range for decreasing fields. For external fields perpendicular to the bias direction the magnetization aligns with the field cooling direction for descending and ascending fields before fully reversing. The field range for which the magnetization is close to perpendicular to the external field can be estimated using a simple effective field model.