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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M82721/01
Title: MICROSTRUCTURE AND MAGNETISATION REVERSAL IN SPIN- VALVE STRUCTURES
Principal Investigator: Laidler, Dr H
Other Investigators:
O'Grady, Professor K Petford-Long, Professor A
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Seagate Technology
Department: Physics
Organisation: University of Exeter
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 March 2000 Ends: 01 September 2000 Value (£): 90,279
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Magnetism/Magnetic Phenomena Materials Characterisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
In this project we will study the detailed magnetisation reversal processes that occur in spin-valves. This will be done using bulk magnetic measurements undertaken at Bangor and electron microscopy at Oxford. The work will be undertaken in collaboration with Seagate Technology who will provide samples of leading edge materials and financial support.Of principal interest are the effects of domains that are believed to form the in the antiferromagnetic layer and the resulting pinning of their walls which is transmitted to the pinned ferromagnetic layer. Preliminary data has shown tat the effects of such domains dominate the reversal of the pinned layer. Also thermal activation of reversal in the antiferromagnet plays a major role in the reversal of the entire material. To understand such complex behaviour requires a detailed knowledge of the physical and magnetic microstructure of the materials which we aim to provide. Hence an improved understanding of the reversal process will underpin future developments in exchange biased materials and their applications.
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Organisation Website: http://www.ex.ac.uk