Asymmetric reversal of the hysteresis loop in exchange-biased nanodots

Abstract

The magnetic response of a ferromagnetic cylindrical dot in contact with an antiferromagnetic substrate and its reversal modes during the cycling of an external magnetic field $H$ are investigated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. We found that there is a nonuniform distribution of the magnetization in the ferromagnet along the direction perpendicular to the interface. This effect gives rise to different magnetization reversals in the two branches of the hysteresis cycle.