Magnetization reversal of L10 FePt/Co/Fe trilayers

With a thin Co layer inserted into the L1(0)-FePt(3 nm)/Fe(2 nm) ECC structure, a large reduction of coercivity is observed in such a graded trilayer, with a minimum value of 1.45 kOe when the Co thickness is 2 nm, similar to that of FePt(3 nm)/Fe(4 nm). The magnetization reversal in both FePt/Fe and FePt/Co/Fe structures is carefully studied by the vector vibrating sample magnetometer. The nucleation, wall compression, and irreversible magnetization rotation are discussed. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3565416]