Laser annealing in exchanged-biased films with out-of-plane and in-plane magnetic anisotropy

The local magnetization reversal of an exchange-biased in-plane FeMn/NiFe bilayers and out-of plane [Pd/Co]5/FeMn multilayers as a function of exposed region is investigated. The multilayer films are deposited using ion-beam and dc magnetron sputtering method. Laser annealing using a diode pumped solid state (Nd:YAG) laser is then utilized to locally reverse the unidirectional anisotropy in the films. The hysteresis loops for the exchange biased films are also analyzed by the magnetic optical Kerr effect and the extraordinary Hall effect.