Magnetic multilayers : fundamental and practical aspects

Abstract
After a brief introduction we describe the preparation of the multilayers by evaporation under ultra high vacuum conditions and their characterisation. We then discuss the magnetic and magneto-optical properties of some multilayer systems such as, Ni/Ag, Fe/Ag, Co/Ag and Co/Pt. The last one is quite interesting and is a potential candidate for magneto-optical information storage, particularly capable of working in the shorter wave length of light. We describe particularly the various anisotropies such as the bulk and surface ones and the magnetostriction as well.