Magnetostriction-induced anisotropy in the exchange biased bilayers

Abstract: The exchange bias at ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic interfaces strongly depends upon the state of antiferromagnetic (AF) layer which, due to strong magnetoelastic coupling, is sensitive to mechanical stresses. In the present paper we consider magnetoelastic effects that arise at FM/AF interface due to lattice misfit and magnetic ordering. We show how magnetostriction affects mutual orientation of AF and FM vectors and easy-axis direction in thin AF layer. The results obtained could be used for tailoring exchange biased systems.