Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2013

William & Mary

Materials Science and Engineering

Articles 1 - 1 of 1

Full-Text Articles in Physics

Optical Characterization Of Magnetism In Magnetic/Nonmagnetic Heterostructures, Yichun Fan Jan 2013

Optical Characterization Of Magnetism In Magnetic/Nonmagnetic Heterostructures, Yichun Fan

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

This thesis focuses on the study of the static and dynamic magnetic interactions in ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic heterostructures using interface-specific and time-resolved optical techniques. The goal of this thesis is to elucidate the interface exchange coupling, magnetic anisotropy, and coherent spin dynamics in these advanced material systems, crucial to the realization of high performance spintronic devices.;First, a pronounced exchange bias (EB) phenomenon is observed in Fe/MgO (001) by magnetic second harmonic generation. The bulk magnetization does not, in marked contrast to typical systems where EB is manifested only in the net magnetization. The magnitude of the exchange bias varies with interface oxygen …