Magnetic structure of NiO in (Fe)/ NiO/MgO/Cr/MgO(001) epitaxial multilayers

We report on the magnetic properties of antiferromagnetic NiO(001) thin films in epitaxially grown NiO/MgO(dMgO)/Cr/MgO(001) system for different thicknesses of MgO, dMgO. Results of X‑ray Magnetic Linear Dichroism show that together with an increase of dMgO, rotation of NiO spins from in‑plane towards out‑of‑plane direction occurs. Furthermore, we investigated how the proximity of Fe modifies the magnetic state of NiO in Fe/NiO/MgO(dMgO)/Cr/MgO(001). We proved the existence of a multidomain state in NiO as a result of competition between the ferromagnet/antiferromagnet exchange coupling and strain exerted on the NiO by the MgO buffer layer.