Abstract
The unidirectional anisotropy in exchange biased bilayers is measured by Brillouin light scattering (BLS) from spin waves in the Fe layer. This technique, where the ferromagnetic layer is always saturated, allows for a straightforward, accurate determination of the exchange bias field. The value obtained from BLS is 25% larger than the one obtained from conventional magnetometry. Moreover, a large broadening of the spin-wave mode due to the presence of the antiferromagnet is observed. From the field dependence of this broadening we conclude that the mode broadening is unidirectional.
- Received 30 April 1998
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.59.3333
©1999 American Physical Society