Spontaneous Spin Reorientation in Gd–Co Amorphous Films

Abstract

The phenomenon of spontaneous spin reorientation in Gd–Сo amorphous films, which results from the competition between the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and shape anisotropy, is studied. It is shown that the reorientation occurs via the formation of a fine-grained nonuniform magnetic structure called hypercritical state in a wide temperature range. Magnetic domains in the spin-reorientation region are characterized using magnetic and magneto-optical measurements. Based on the experimental magnetometric data and results of simulating the temperature dependences of spontaneous magnetization, the phase diagram of the films containing 16–26 at % Gd is constructed, which, being plotted on coordinates elemental composition—temperature, exhibits the ranges of existence of the perpendicular anisotropy, transition magnetic anisotropy (hypercritical state), and planar magnetization state.