| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/M82424/01 |
| Title: |
EXCHANGE BIAS IN ANTIFERROMAGNET/FERROMAGNET BILAYERS WITH CONTROLLED DOMAIN STRUCTURES |
| Principal Investigator: |
Hickey, Professor B |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Physics and Astronomy |
| Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 April 2000 |
Ends: |
31 March 2002 |
Value (£): |
94,651
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Magnetism/Magnetic Phenomena |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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This project is to determine the effects of domain structures on the exchange biasing of ferromagnet (F) thin film by an antiferromagnetic (AF) layer. Exchange bias is widely used in the fabrication of magnetic sensors, especially so-called 'spin valves'. The recent upsurge in theoretical activity in this topic has focussed largely on the presence of domain structure in the AF layer, which cannot be directly observed.We are proposing to circumvent this experimental difficulty by growing thin F layers where we will characterise the domains by MFM and Lorentz microscopy. The domain structure in the F layer will then be 'frozen' into the AF layer by cooling through the Neel temperature. The domain structure can be controlled by careful choice of film growth conditions and the application of magnetic fields during the domain freezing process. We will also study the exchange pinning of perpendicularly magnetised films, where we can engineer domain structures with some precision. This project will advance knowledge and technology in a subject of both scientific and commercial significance.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |