Peculiarities of Magnetic Properties of Ni-Ge Layered Films

Abstract

The surface morphology and magnetic properties of layered Ni-Ge films were investigated. The films surface has been shown to consist of the grains of 2 - 4 nm in height with the average radius of about 40-80 nm. Magnetization temperature dependences are different for FC and ZFC processes; in the latter case, the magnetization maximum is observed near the temperature Tm~50K. The exchange bias effect is observed at low temperatures. The results are explained by the formation of the antiferromagnetic phase in the interface between Ni and Ge layers due to the Ge and Ni mutual diffusion.