Thin-film three-layer Fe/poly(diphenylene phthalide)/Fe systems: structural properties and behavior in magnetic fields

The structural and magnetic properties of thin-film Fe/poly(diphenylene phthalide) (PDP)/Fe systems are studied, along with the behavior of these systems in magnetic fields. The mean surface roughness of the studied samples is around 5–8 nm, and local near-surface magnetic properties show variation within 10%. The samples are characterized by two-step hysteresis loops, the step size depending on the thickness of the polymer layer and the difference in the thickness between the magnetic layers. The results are explained by the effects the exchange interaction between the magnetic layers, mediated by the PDP interlayer, has on the behavior of our samples in a magnetic field.