[Co/Pd]-NiFe exchange springs with tunable magnetization tilt angle

We investigate exchange coupled [Co/Pd](5)-NiFe thin films. Due to competition between the in-plane shape anisotropy of the NiFe and strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of the [Co/Pd](5) multilayer, unique magnetic configurations are achievable. In particular, we explore the out-of-plane magnetization tilt angle of the NiFe layer. Experimental results, based on conventional magnetometry, ferromagnetic resonance, and magnetic force microscopy, agree well with one-dimensional micromagnetic simulations. We find that the tilt angle is highly tunable [0 degrees-60 degrees] over a small range of NiFe thicknesses (4.8-8nm). Potential applications for high power, zero-field operation spin torque oscillators are discussed. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3580612]