Modification of the magnetic properties of exchange coupled NiFe/FeMn films by Ga+ ion irradiation

Abstract The influence of 30 keV Ga + ion irradiation on the magnetic properties of polycrystalline NiFe/FeMn exchange bias layers was investigated. In this context, it was of particular interest to determine whether a previously observed enhancement of the bias field value for the irradiation with 5 keV He + ions is a material-specific or an ion-specific effect. Moreover, the capability of magnetic micro-patterning using Ga + ions from a focused ion beam source was tested. It is demonstrated that magnetic patterning with a lower width limit in the range of 100–1000 nm is possible.