Appl. Phys. Lett. 97, 052504 (2010)

M. Ziese, I. Vrejoiu, and D. Hesse

Abstract

The magnetization reversal mechanisms in a La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃/SrRuO₃ superlattice with ultrathin individual layers were studied. Due to the strong exchange bias betweenLa_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ and SrRuO₃ layers inverted hysteresis loops were observed at temperatures below 62 K; at higher temperatures the superlattice showed an unconventional reversal mechanism with the magnetically hard SrRuO₃ layers switching first on reducing the magnetic field from saturation. These observations were corroborated by micromagnetic simulations and were interpreted as arising from interfacial Bloch walls.