The giant magnetostriction and magnetic properties of the amorphous alternant [Tb/Fe/Dy]_n and[Fe/Tb/Fe/Dy]_m nano-multilayer films

The magnetic properties and giant magnetostriction effect (GMS) of the amorphous alternant [Tb/Fe/Dy]_n (named S1) and [Fe/Tb/Fe/Dy] _m (named S2) nano-multilayer films have been studied. The magnetic hysteresis loops show that easy magnetic direction changes from perpendicular to the film plane (S1) to parallel to the film plane (S2). S2 has better soft magnetic properties and low-field giant magnetostriction effect than that of S1, due to the exchanging interaction between the hard GMS layer and the soft layer Fe. The different magnetic behavior is explained by considering the nature of the magnetization process, i.e. domain-wall motion and spin rotation.