Exchange-bias-like effect of an uncompensated antiferromagnet

Abstract

The exchange bias effect is usually defined as horizontal shift of the field-cooled magnetization loop when an antiferromagnet is directly coupled to a ferromagnet. Uncompensated spins at the interface between the two layers are believed to cause this phenomenon. The presence of such, on the other hand, would infer a vertical, i.e., a magnetization-like shift stemming from the antiferromagnet. Observations of this effect are sparse, especially in the absence of a ferromagnet. We present a model system based on extremely Co doped ZnO in which the uncompensated spins of antiferromagnetic Co-O-Co... configurations lead to this vertical shift and therefore to a field-resistant magnetization. A simple Stoner-Wohlfarth-like model based on configurations of different sizes is used to explain the occurrence of this exchange-bias-like shift and a narrow opening of the magnetization curves.