Figure 1

Hysteresis loops for Fe and Mn measured in reflection parallel and perpendicular to the Fe[100] or exchange bias direction. The Fe hystereses along (○) and perpendicular to $H_E$ (solid line) are measured at an energy of 707.2 eV and at an angle of incidence of $\Theta =11°$. The Mn hysteresis (×) parallel to $H_E$ is measured at 639.5 eV and $\Theta =9.5°$. Mn and Fe exhibit a strong coupling which can be seen from the similar shape of the respective hystereses.Reuse & Permissions

Figure 2

Magnetic asymmetries for both types of Mn moments in the sample. The upper graph is the conventional ferromagnetism-caused asymmetry as obtained from flipping the magnetization in the sample. The presence of the Fe induces ferromagnetism in the very first layers of the AFM which is oriented antiparallel with respect to the magnetization of the Fe at the interface. The inset on the upper left shows the reflectivity curve as obtained by measuring with horizontal linear polarized light along with the corresponding fit result. From this curve, structural, i.e., chemical, properties have been deduced. The lower graph shows the pinned asymmetry which corresponds to pinned uncompensated moments in the AFM. A possible scenario for interfacial Mn moments and their respective coupling mechanisms is illustrated by the two sketches. Rotatable moments (Mn or Fe) are represented by double arrows. The springs illustrate possible couplings between the pinned Mn and the rotatable Mn and Fe. Highlighted in red are the moments probed by the respective asymmetry.Reuse & Permissions

Figure 3

Optical and magneto-optical profile of the sample showing the situation directly at the AFM/FM interface. All profiles have been measured at the same energy of 639.5 eV. The optical profiles corresponding to the structural information from the nondichroic reflectivity are shown as red and black solid curves. Rotatable Mn moments lead to the ${\delta }_{\mathrm{rotatable}}$ (dashed green curve) and ${\beta }_{\mathrm{rotatable}}$ (dashed blue curve) profile. The values have been multiplied by 20 for better visibility. The pinned Mn moments lead to the magneto-optical profile given by ${\delta }_{\mathrm{pinned}}$ (dashed-dotted magenta curve) and ${\beta }_{\mathrm{pinned}}$ (dashed-dotted light-blue curve). Both values have been multiplied by 100.Reuse & Permissions