title: Spin flop transition in a finite antiferromagnetic superlattice: evolution of the magnetic structure.
abstract: An antiferromagnetic (AF) superlattice of Fe/Cr(211) is used as a model system to study magnetic transitions in a finite-size geometry. With polarization neutron reflectometry the magnetic structure at the surface spin-flop transition and its evolution with field is determined. A domain wall created near the surface penetrates the superlattice with increasing field, splitting it into two antiphase, AF domains. After reaching the center the spin-flopped phase spreads throughout the superlattice. The experimental results are in substantial agreement with theoretical and numerical predictions.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA.
authors.forename: S G E
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: te Velthuis
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Bader
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Felcher