MgAl2O4 capping effects on the magnetic properties of TbFeCo films

We investigate MgAl2O4 (MAO) capping effects on the magnetic properties of TbFeCo films. Compared with TbFeCo films, a shift of compensation point to lower temperatures together with significantly reduced saturation magnetization is found in the case of MAO capping. An antiferromagnetic exchange coupling is observed in TbFeCo/MAO structures. This can be well explained by a double layer model with opposite phases. An exchange energy density of ∼ 0.5 erg/cm2 is obtained, which is comparable but lower than that of TbFeCo bilayers with opposite phases. Our findings may be useful for developing ultrathin TbFeCo/MAO heterostructure-based spintronic devices.