Abstract
Using the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism, we measured the orientations of magnetic moment at exchange-coupled Co/Tb x Fe 1-x bilayers. The moment associated with each element was found tilting an angle with respect to surface normal. Study of the thickness dependence on Co film shows increasing planar component for thicker film. With a fixed 15 Å Co layer deposited on Tb x Fe 1-x , lower Tb percentage leads to larger tilting angle. Element-specific measurements confirm that all three moments have similar orientation at interface, suggesting strong interlayer coupling. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.