• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.86-92
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• 1997

An artificially modulated magnetic Co/Pd multilayer is one of the promising candidates for high density magneto-optic (MO) recording media in the wavelength of a blue laser beam, due to large Kerr rotation angle. However, since the Co/Pd multilayer is a non-equilibrium state in terms of free energy and MO recording is a kind of thermal recording which is conducted around Curie temperature (Tc) of the recording media, the assessment of the thermal stability in the Co/Pd multilayer is crucially important both for basic research and applications. As the parameter of the thermal stability in this research, effective interdiffusion coefficients (Deff) perpendicular to the interface of the Co/Pd multilayers are measured in terms of Ar sputtering pressure and heat treatment temperature. From the results of the research, we find out that the magnetic exchange energy between Co and Pd sublayers strongly affects Deff of the Co/Pd multilayers. This discovery will provide the understanding of the magnetic exchange energy in the effective interdiffusion process of a magnetic multilayer structure and suggest the operating temperature range for MO recording in the Co/Pd multilayer for the basic research and applications, respectively.