Exchange bias in FeNi/FeMn/Gd-Co trilayers: the role of the magnetic prehistory

Abstract FeNi/FeMn/GdxCo100-x multilayered films were prepared by magnetron sputtering. The Gd-Co layer had different temperature dependences of the spontaneous magnetization due to the different Gd content. The magnetic properties of the films were determined from hysteresis loops measured in the temperature range 5–473 K. In order to determine the existence of a long-range interaction and a mutual influence of two exchange bias systems through the formation of bulk continuous magnetic structure in the antiferromagnetic layer special cooling procedure with FeNi and Gd-Co magnetizations saturated in a direction parallel or antiparallel to each other was used. The observed difference in the exchange bias between the two cooling configurations was discussed.