Canted standing spin-wave modes of Permalloy thin films observed by Ferromagnetic Resonance

Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and x-ray detected FMR (XFMR) results for Permalloy (Py) and [Co/Pt]10/Py films, with and without thin Pt spacers between the [Co/Pt]10 and Py layers, are presented and discussed. The first layer [Co/Pt]10 was chosen due its characteristic perpendicular anisotropy, with the potential to pin neighboring Py spins. However, in practice, the FMR results were found to be dominated by the 50-nm-thick Py films, especially when the thickness of the Pt spacer exceeds 1.5 nm. Nonetheless, out-of-plane FMR measurements reveal interesting behavior. In particular, the uniform k=0 mode is extremely sensitive to the alignment of the magnetic field normal to the film. Misalignment by just 3° shifts the cusp, at Bappz ~ μ0M in the plot of resonance frequency against applied field, upwards to ~ 6 GHz. In addition, out-of-plane VNA-FMR maps reveal the presence of additional modes. For example, a perpendicular standing spin-wave (PSSW)-state, above the cusp at Bappz ≥ μ0M, is clearly identified. However, as the magnetic field is reduced below the cusp, the PSSW state morphs, continuously, through a series of canted spin-wave states (CSSW) into a horizontal standing spin-wave (HSSW) state, increasing in frequency to ~ 9.5 GHz. Finally, the PSSW, CSSW and HSSW states, are accurately interpreted, using a multi-layer model of the Py film.