Irradiation induced effects on magnetic properties of Pt/Co/Pt ultrathin films

Abstract He + ion irradiation-induced interface mixing modifies the magnetic properties of Pt/Co/Pt sandwiches. A strong decrease in magnetic anisotrophy (hence of the coercivity and Curie temperature) can be controlled without significant changes in sample roughness or optical properties. This opens exciting possibilities to develop a planar technology to pattern the magnetic properties of multilayers by irradiation through a lithographically defined mask.