Magnetism in Rare-Earth-Transition Metal Systems. Magnetization Reversal and Ultra-High Susceptibility in Sandwiched Thin Films Based on Rare-earth and Cobalt Alloys

This paper is composed of two parts: theoretical and experimental. The theoretical part is divided into several sections. The main characteristic properties of 3d (transition metals) and 4f (rare-earth metals) magnetism are explained in the second section. The properties of rare-earth-transition metal compounds are discussed in the third section, particularly with respect to applications. The fourth section is devoted to the rapidly growing field of magnetic thin films. Specifrc properties of ultra-thin films and multilayers are summarized. In the experimental part the original magnetic properties of sandwich films, consisting of a soft amorphous Co-Zr layer placed between two Sm-Co layers with different coercivities, are reported.