We studied the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) like state established due to the proximity effect in superconducting Nb/Cu 41 Ni 59 bilayers. Using a special wedge-type deposition technique, series of 20-35 samples could be fabricated by magnetron sputtering during one run. The layer thickness of only a few nanometers, the composition of the alloy, and the quality of interfaces were controlled by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Auger spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic alloy layer were characterized with superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry. These studies yield precise information about the thickness, and demonstrate the homogeneity of the alloy composition and magnetic properties along the sample series. The dependencies of the critical temperature on the Nb and Cu 41 Ni 59 layer thickness, T c (d S ) and T c (d F ), were investigated for constant thickness d F of the magnetic alloy layer and d S of the superconducting layer, respectively. All types of non-monotonic behaviors of T c versus d F predicted by the theory could be realized experimentally: from reentrant superconducting behavior with a broad extinction region to a slight suppression of superconductivity with a shallow minimum. Even a double extinction of superconductivity was observed, giving evidence for the multiple reentrant behavior predicted by theory. All critical temperature curves were fitted with suitable sets of parameters. Then, T c (d F ) diagrams of a hypothetical F/S/F spin-switch core structure were calculated using these parameters. Finally, superconducting spin-switch fabrication issues are discussed in detail in view of the achieved results.

We present a study of magnetic structures with controllable effective exchange energy for Josephson switches and memory applications. As a basis for a weak link we propose to use a periodic structure composed of ferromagnetic (F) layers spaced by thin superconductors (s). Our calculations based on the Usadel equations show that switching from parallel (P) to antiparallel (AP) alignment of neighboring F layers can lead to a significant enhancement of the critical current through the junction. To control the magnetic alignment we propose to use a periodic system whose unit cell is a pseudo spin valve of structure F1/s/F2/s where F1 and F2 are two magnetic layers having different coercive fields. In order to check the feasibility of controllable switching between AP and P states through the whole periodic structure, we prepared a superlattice [Co(1.5 nm)/Nb(8 nm)/Co(2.5 nm)/Nb(8 nm)]6 between two superconducting layers of Nb(25 nm). Neutron scattering and magnetometry data showed that parallel and antiparallel alignment can be controlled with a magnetic field of only several tens of Oersted.

Ferromagnet/Superconductor/Ferromagnet (F/S/F) trilayers, in which the establishing of a

Abstract. The upper critical magnetic field H c2 in thin-film FSF trilayer spinvalve cores is studied experimentally and theoretically in geometries perpendicular and parallel to the heterostructure surface. The series of samples with variable thicknesses d F1 of the bottom and d F2 of the top Cu 41 Ni 59 F-layers are prepared in a single run, utilizing a wedge deposition technique. The critical field H c2 is measured in the temperature range 0.4 − 8 K and for magnetic fields up to 9 Tesla. A transition from oscillatory to reentrant behavior of the superconducting transition temperature versus F-layers thickness, induced by an external magnetic field, has been observed for the first time. In order to properly interpret the experimental data, we develop a quasiclassical theory, enabling one to evaluate the temperature dependence of the critical field and the superconducting transition temperature for an arbitrary set of the system parameters. A fairly good agreement between our experimental data and theoretical predictions is demonstrated for all samples, using a single set of fit parameters. This confirms adequacy of the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) physics in determining the unusual superconducting properties of the studied Cu 41 Ni 59 /Nb/Cu 41 Ni 59 spin-valve core trilayers.Experimental and theoretical analysis of the upper critical field in FSF trilayers 2

No abstract