Novel exchange-spring configuration for excellent magnetic and magneto strictive softness

Magnetization and magnetostriction data are reported for discontinuous type exchange-spring Tb(Fe(0.55)Co0.45)(1.5)/(Y0.1Fe0.9) multilayers, in which nanograins coexist with amorphous phase in soft YFe layers. This novel exchange-spring configuration exhibits an excellent magnetic and magnetostrictive softness: low magnetic coercivity (μH-0(C) = 1 mT), large magnetostriction (λ(x2) = 720 x 10(-6)) and large parallel magnetostrictive susceptibility (X-λ∥ = dλ(∥)/dμH-0 = 29.7 x 10(-2) T-1). In addition, the observed phenomena of the negative contribution to magnetostriction, the formation of the extended domain wall at the interfaces and the exchange-bias are discussed. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.