Spin-reorientation in the heterostructure Co/SmFeO(3).

Element-specific imaging of magnetic domains in a ferromagnet/antiferromagnet heterostructure consisting of Co/SmFeO(3) has been performed in the vicinity of the spin-reorientation phase transition in SmFeO(3) using a photoemission electron microscope. Evidence is shown that a 90° in-plane spin-reorientation in the antiferromagnetic SmFeO(3) triggers a similar reorientation of spins of the ferromagnetic Co layer on top of it. The possibility of triggering the spin-reorientation with the help of laser-excitation is demonstrated.