title: Magnetic tuning of biquadratic exchange coupling in magnetic thin films.
abstract: The effective interlayer coupling between antiferromagnetically coupled hard and soft ferromagnetic thin films is investigated as a function of the magnetic bit length in the hard layer, which is controlled using a magnetic recording system. The interlayer coupling is explored by studying the magnetization reversal of the soft layer. As the bit length decreases, the coupling evolves from antiferromagnetic to biquadratic to uncoupled. These results are reproduced using a micromagnetic model and determine the applicability range of Slonczewski's fluctuation model of biquadratic coupling.
authors.affiliation: San Jose Research Center, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, California 95120, USA.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Margulies
authors.forename: Eric E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Fullerton