Ru thickness-dependent interlayer coupling and ultrahigh FMR frequency in FeCoB/Ru/FeCoB sandwich trilayers

Abstract

The antiferromagnetic (AFM) interlayer coupling effective field in a ferromagnetic/non-magnetic/ferromagnetic (FM/NM/FM) sandwich structure, as a driving force, can dramatically enhance the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency. Changing the non-magnetic spacer thickness is an effective way to control the interlayer coupling type and intensity, as well as the FMR frequency. In this study, FeCoB/Ru/FeCoB sandwich trilayers with Ru thickness (t Ru) ranging from 1 Å to 16 Å are prepared by a compositional gradient sputtering (CGS) method. It is revealed that a stress-induced anisotropy is present in the FeCoB films due to the B composition gradient in the samples. A t Ru-dependent oscillation of interlayer coupling from FM to AFM with two periods is observed. An AFM coupling occurs in a range of 2 Å ≤ t Ru ≤ 8 Å and over 16 Å, while an FM coupling is present in a range of t Ru < 2 Å and 9 Å ≤ t Ru ≤ 14.5 Å. It is interesting that an ultrahigh optical mode (OM) FMR frequency in excess of 20 GHz is obtained in the sample with t Ru = 2.5 Å under an AFM coupling. The dynamic coupling mechanism in trilayers is simulated, and the corresponding coupling types at different values of t Ru are verified by Layadi’s rigid model. This study provides a controllable way to prepare and investigate the ultrahigh FMR films.