Magnetic anisotropies and magnetization reversal of the Co2Cr0.6Fe0.4Al Heusler compound

Magnetic anisotropies and magnetization reversal properties of the epitaxial Heusler compound Co2Cr0.6Fe0.4Al deposited on Fe and Cr buffer layers are studied. Both samples exhibit a growth-induced fourfold anisotropy, and magnetization reversal occurs through the formation of stripy domains or 90 degrees domains. During rotational magnetometric scans the sample deposited on Cr exhibits about 2 degrees sharp peaks in the angular dependence of the coercive field, which are oriented along the hard axis directions. These peaks are a consequence of the specific domain structure appearing in this particular measurement geometry. A corresponding feature in the sample deposited on Fe is not observed. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.