Influence of annealing on Co/Au multilayers: a structural and magnetic study

The effect of annealing treatments (at Ts250 8C) on both the structural and magnetic properties of sputtered (Co(dCo)yAu(22 A))=30 multilayers with dCos6, 9 and 12 A was studied. X-ray reflectivity and high angle diffraction measurements allowed us ? ? to estimate bilayer thickness and interface quality of the multilayers. Magnetic characterization, performed by alternating gradient force magnetometry, magnetic force microscopy and Brillouin light scattering from spin waves, indicates that all the as-prepared samples display perpendicular anisotropy. Upon annealing the perpendicular anisotropy for dCos9 and 12 A multilayers is ? enhanced while it is weakened for dCos6 A.