Antiferromagnetic thickness dependence of exchange biasing

Abstract
A theory for a ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic (FM/AF) exchange coupled bilayer of finite thickness is presented. Calculations based on this theory describe the reversible and irreversible transitions of the magnetic moments in this FM/AF system. A description of the exchange bias effect is offered that explains the observed phenomena of enhanced coercivity and rotational hysteresis. The theory also explains the AF thickness dependence of the exchange field and the coercivity.