ISSN 1063-7761, Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics, 2019, Vol. 129, No. 2, pp. 258–276.

© Pleiades Publishing, Inc., 2019.

Russian Text © The Author(s), 2019, published in Zhurnal Eksperimental’noi i Teoreticheskoi Fiziki, 2019, Vol. 156, No. 2, pp. 310–330.

ORDER, DISORDER, AND PHASE TRANSITION

IN CONDENSED SYSTEM

Magnetic and Superconducting Properties of the Heterogeneous

Layered Structures V/Fe0.7V0.3/V/Fe0.7V0.3/Nb and
Nb/Ni0.65(0.81)Cu0.35(0.19)
V. D. Zhaketova, Yu. V. Nikitenkoa,*, Yu. N. Khaidukovb, O. V. Skryabinac,
A. Csikd, M. M. Borisove, E. Kh. Mukhamedzhanove, S. N. Vdovichevf,
E. I. Litvinenkoa, A. V. Petrenkoa, and A. V. Churakova
a Joint
Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Moscow oblast, 141980 Russia
b
Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992 Russia
c
Institute of Solid State Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow oblast, 142432 Russia
d Institute for Nuclear Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Debrecen, H-4026 Hungary
e Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, 123182 Russia
f Institute for Physics of Microstructures, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nizhny Novgorod, 603087 Russia

*e-mail: nikiten@nf.jinr.ru
Received December 3, 2018; revised February 1, 2019; accepted February 14, 2019

Abstract—The heterogeneous ferromagnetic–superconducting layered heterostructures

V/Fe0.7V0.3/V/Fe0.7V0.3/Nb and Nb/Ni0.65(0.81)Cu0.35(0.19), which contain magnetic clusters and ferromag-
netic domains, are studied. The magnetic and superconducting properties of the structures depend on the
magnetic-layer thickness, the magnetic field, and the time elapsed from structure preparation. We detected
the interaction of clusters with a domain structure, diamagnetism and magnetization reversal of the magnetic
layer during the superconducting transition in a ferromagnetic–superconducting heterostructure, and a
superconducting transition in the magnetic layer. The magnetic and resistive properties of the heterostruc-
tures changed in several weeks and months.

DOI: 10.1134/S1063776119070136

1. INTRODUCTION sists in the determination of the spatial magnetic and

A number of new phenomena caused by the inter-
action of ferromagnetic and superconducting order
parameters have been predicted for ferromagnetic–
superconducting (FS) layered heterostructures. These
are cryptoferromagnetism [1–6], the inverse proxim-
ity effect [7–9], a spontaneous vortex phase [10–12],
and triplet superconductivity [13, 14]. These phenom-
ena were detected and studied in many experimental
works, which usually applied macroscopic methods,
such as the measurement of the magnetic moment and
the resistance of a structure. The interaction of ferro-
magnetism and superconductivity manifests itself in a
simultaneous change in the magnetic and supercon-
ducting properties of contacting ferromagnetic and
superconducting layers. The interface between the
layers in real structures is rather long and comparable
with the ferromagnetic and superconducting coherent
lengths. Therefore, the properties of the region in the
vicinity of the interface change along with changes in
the properties of contacting ferromagnetic and super-
conducting layers. Hence, the problem mainly con-
superconducting profiles of the entire structure as
functions of external parameters. To determine the
spatial magnetization vector profile of a layered struc-
ture, researchers use nanometer-resolved reflectome-
try of polarized neutrons [15].
The authors of [16, 17] noted that the characteris-
tics of FS structures change substantially in time,
which hinders their experimental investigation and
further application. Therefore, it is important to deter-
mine the time-induced changes of a structure and to
reveal the causes of time instability. The purpose of
this work is to study FS structures of various composi-
tions by various experimental techniques in several
months and to compare their characteristics. As a
result, we revealed significant changes in magnetic
and nuclear spatial profiles across a structure, a mag-
netic structure in the plane of the magnetic layer, the
critical superconducting transition temperature (STT)
of the structure and its magnetic layer, and the resis-
tance of the structure.

258
 MAGNETIC AND SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES 259

Concentration, % bium boundary is 20 nm. The magnetic layer (two FeV

Nb Si layers and V layer between them) has a thickness of
100 V 20 nm, which is larger than the thickness calculated
from the amounts of the deposited elements by a factor
of 6.3. As a result of mutual penetration of the ele-
Fe ments, the layer of iron atoms turn out to be addition-
Ta
10 O ally diluted by niobium and vanadium atoms by 14
times, so that the iron atom content is 7% within the
C spatial distribution width. As a result, the structure
consists of an inhomogeneous diluted ferromagnet
H surrounded by superconducting niobium and vana-
1
dium layers.

0.1 2.2. Synchrotron Measurements

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Synchrotron radiation scattering intensity I(Q) at
z, nm
glancing angle θ was approximated by the relationship
[21–23]
Fig. 1. (Color online) Depth profile of the
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure: coordinate z = 0 corresponds N (Qy ,G1, R1, B1, P1, R2, G2, B2, P2, C )
to the structure surface. −P1
 
 
2. INVESTIGATION OF THE STRUCTURE
Ta(20 nm)/V(150 nm)/Fe0.7V0.3(1 nm)/ 3 (
= G1 exp − 1 R12Qy2 + B1  ) Qy
 Qy R1 3 


V(1.2 nm)/Fe0.7V0.3(1 nm)/Nb(150 nm)/Si  erf   

The results of studying the Ta(20 nm)/
V(150 nm)/Fe0.7V0.3(1 nm)/V(1.2 nm)/Fe0.7V0.3(1 nm)/
Nb(150 nm)/Si structure (for brevity, V/FeV/V/FeV/
Nb) were presented in [18, 19]. Here, we present some
new data. The structure was prepared at the Helm-
holtz center (Berlin, Germany). To prepare the struc-
ture, we deposited Fe0.7V0.3, V, and Fe0.7V0.3 layers
sequentially onto a 150-nm-thick niobium layer in the
amount that corresponds to a layer thickness of 1, 1.2,
and 1 nm at the density of the bulk material. A vana-
dium 150-nm-thick layer was then deposited, and a
20-nm-thick tantalum layer was finally deposited to
prevent oxidation of the structure.
2.1. Spatial Profile
Figure 1 shows the spatial profile of the
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure measured by neutral-
atom mass spectrometry at a spatial resolution of 1 nm
[20]. As is seen from these curves, the two Fe0.7V0.3
magnetic layers are unresolved and form one layer.
Nevertheless, neutron investigations demonstrate that
the magnetic structure consists of two separate mag-
netic moments.
The boundaries of the niobium and vanadium lay-
ers have the depth that is close to the magnetic layer
thickness, and the boundary depth increases with the
distance from the silicon substrate. For example, the
depth of the boundary with niobium that is nearest to
the substrate, which is determined as the distance at
which the element concentration changes in the range
50–100%, is 10 nm, and the depth of the farthest nio-
  6  
( ) (
× exp − 1 R22Qy2 + G2 exp − 1 R22Qy2
3 3 )
−P3
 
 
 Qy  + C.
+ B2
 Qy R2 3 
 erf   
  6  
Figure 2 shows the experimental (black) and calcu-
lated (red) dependences of the synchrotron radiation
scattering intensity for a wavelength of 1.4 Å and a
glancing angle θ = 10 mrad on transferred wavevector
Qy directed in the structure plane normal to an inci-
dent beam. At the given glancing angle, radiation
reaches the magnetic layer and is scattered by its struc-
tural heterogeneities. As a result of fitting the calcula-
tion to the experimental data, the following values
were obtained: R1 = 11 nm, R2 = 4.7, P1 = 1, and P2 =
3. Parameter 2R2 = 9.4 nm is identified with the cluster
diameter along axis y (normal to incident beam in the
sample plane). Parameter 2R1 = 22 nm is the linear
size of a cluster system.
2.3. Magnetic Measurements
Figure 3 shows the temperature dependences of the
zero-field cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC, H =
20 Oe) magnetic moments. It is seen that, in contrast
to the transition in vanadium, the superconducting
transition in the niobium layer substantially changes
the magnetic moment of the structure. At T = 8 K
(which is higher than Tc), the magnetic moment is

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS Vol. 129 No. 2 2019

260 ZHAKETOV et al.
I, s−1
105
104
103
102
101 0.1 1 T, K
Qy, nm−1
Fig. 2. (Color online) Experimental (black) and calculated
(red) dependences of the synchrotron radiation scattering
intensity for θ = 10 mrad.
only created by the magnetic layer: the ZFC magnetic
moment is Mm(ZFC, 8 K) = –7.2 × 10–6 CGS units.
This magnetic moment corresponds to a magnetic
induction Bm(8 K) = 180 G for a 20-nm-thick mag-
netic layer and to 1.8 kG for two iron layers of a total
nominal thickness of 2 nm. The ZFC magnetic
moment of the structure at T = 6 K, which is lower
than Tc, is Mst (ZFC, 6 K) ≈ 0. At T < Tc, the magnetic
moment of the structure Mst is the sum of the magnetic
moments of the magnetic layer (Mm) and the super-
conducting layer (Ms). The following condition should
be met because of the diamagnetism of the supercon-
ducting layers to an applied magnetic field and the
diamagnetism to the moment of the ferromagnetic
layer:
M st (ZFC,6 K) = M m(ZFC,6 K) + M s (ZFC,6 K)
= M m(ZFC,8 K)(1 − σmε) − HVs σ s = 0.
Here, σm(s) = 0–1 is the diamagnetism of the magnetic
(superconducting) layer; ε is the fraction of the mag-
netic layer, which becomes superconducting because
of the proximity effect; and Vs is the superconducting
layer volume.
We now consider the case where the moment of the
magnetic layer does not change (ΔMm = 0). Then, the
moment of the superconducting layer should be para-
magnetic with respect to a magnetic field and be
Ms(ZFC, 6 K) = 7.2 × 10–6 CGS units. Note that the
maximum diamagnetic moment of the superconduct-
ing layer to a field H = 20 Oe is 2.8 × 10–6 CGS units.
We consider the second case, where the entire
magnetic layer becomes superconducting (ε = 1) and
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS
M × 106, CGS units
0
–1
–2
–3
M × 106, CGS units
–4 10
2
–5 5
2 1
0
–6
1 –5
–7 –10
0 2 4 6 8 10
–8
40 80 120 160 200 240 280
T, K
Fig. 3. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the
magnetic moment of the V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure tL =
33 months after structure preparation under (1) ZFC and
(2) FC (H = 20 Oe) conditions.
σm = σs = 1 at T < Tc. Then, the magnetic moment of
the magnetic layer is Mm(ZFC, 6 K) = 0 and the
change in the moment during the transition is ΔMm =
7.2 × 10–6 CGS units. The diamagnetic moment of the
superconducting layer is Ms(ZFC, 6 K) = 0.
In the third case, we assume that the ferromagnetic
layer is not superconducting and σs = 1; as a result, we
have Mm(ZFC, 6 K) = –Ms(ZFC, 6 K) = 2.8 × 10–6 CGS
units and ΔMm = 10 × 10–6 CGS units.
Obviously, the first and second cases do not take
place. The third case, where the magnetic moments of
the superconducting and magnetic layers change, is
most probable. The results of FC measurements make it
possible to understand what happens. In the FC mea-
surements, we have Mst(FC, 6 K) = 6.2 × 10–6 CGS
units = –Mm(FC, 8 K). If the magnetic flux in the
superconducting layer is assumed to be frozen in the
FC mode because of pinning and to be not rejected
during the superconducting transition, the magnetic
moment of the magnetic layer turns out to be reversed
at the critical temperature and to remain its absolute
value. As will be seen further from neutron data, both
the total moment and the oppositely directed moment
of the domain structure are reversed. This behavior of
the magnetic moment can be explained if we take into
account that the magnetic moment of the magnetic
layer is mainly determined by clusters. During the
transition, clusters pass from the state opposite to a
field to the state along a field as a result of a magnetic
perturbation. The system of magnetic moments of
clusters is known to have two minima in the energy of
interaction of the clusters with a magnetic field, and
Vol. 129 No. 2 2019
 MAGNETIC AND SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES
M × 106, CGS units
10
2
9
1 perature of merging the FC and ZFC dependences
8
7 we will use Tb to determine the magnetization of mag-
M × 106, CGS units
6 0
2 Figure 4 shows the temperature dependences of the
–400
5
1
–800
4 –1200
2 4 6 8
T, K
3 higher, cannot be explained on this assumption.
40 80 120 160 200 240 280
T, K
Fig. 4. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the
magnetic moment of the V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure
under (1) ZFC and (2) FC (H = 1 kOe) conditions at tL =
33 months.
they are determined by the angles between the direc-
tions of the magnetic moments and a field, which dif-
fer from each other by angle π [24].
If a finite diamagnetic moment appears in the super-
conducting layer in the ZFC mode, the magnetic layer
should be additionally magnetized by 2.8 × 10–6 CGS
units. The additional ZFC magnetization is likely to be
related to the fact that a magnetic field under ZFC
conditions is applied at T < Tc and a magnetic field
under FC conditions is applied at T = 300 K. The
problem also concerns the mechanism of changing the
orientations of the moments. For example, this change
can be explained by the fact that the cluster-surround-
ing medium with domains is superconducting. In this
case, the magnetic field at clusters that is scattered by
a diamagnetic moment would be along an applied
magnetic field.
Thus, the ZFC and FC experimental data indicate
that the magnetic moment of the magnetic layer
changes in both direction and the absolute value
during the superconducting transition.
The problem of the diamagnetism of the magnetic
layer in a residual magnetic field H ≈ 1 Oe near the
STT at T > Tc is important. This diamagnetism is
assumed to be related to the interaction of a system of
clusters with ferromagnetic domains, which create a
local magnetic field at clusters that is opposite to an
applied magnetic field. This interaction is supported
by the fact that the moments of the clusters and the
moment of the domain structure are opposite to each
other and simultaneously change their directions
during the superconducting transition. The presence
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS
261
of this interaction also follows from the data of neu-
tron relaxation measurements [19], where correlation
was detected between the behavior of the magnetic
moments of clusters and the density of domain walls.
It also follows from the data in Fig. 3 that the tem-
(blocking temperature) is Tb(20 Oe) = 150 K. Further,
netic clusters.
magnetic moment in a field of 1 kOe. The FC magnetic
moment at T = 10 K > Tc is seen to be 9.5 × 10–6 CGS
units. It could be thought that this is the saturated
moment in such a high field. However, the data
obtained in a field of 100 Oe, where the moment is
Therefore, we have to assume that the moment in a
field of 1 kOe is oriented at a certain angle to magnetic
field direction. This assumption has a double substan-
tiation. First, the too high moment in the ZFC super-
conducting state can be explained in this case. This
moment is explained by the appearance of an addi-
tional diamagnetic moment to the perpendicular com-
ponent of the scattered magnetic field of the magnetic
layer magnetization. Second, as will be shown below,
the magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic layer in
Nb/CuNi structures is oriented at an angle close to
90° in a magnetic field of 5 kOe.
We now consider the data of measurements in a
magnetic field of 100 Oe (Fig. 5). Moment Mst(ZFC,
6 K) = –24 × 10–6 CGS units appears in the ZFC
superconducting state. If we assume that the moment
of the magnetic layer (–6.5 × 10–6 CGS units) exist-
ing at T = 8 K does not change, the diamagnetic
moment of the superconducting layer is Ms(6 K) =
‒17.5 × 10–6 CGS units, which is close to the calcu-
lated maximum value (Ms, max = –14 × 10–6 CGS
units). The excess of the experimental value over the
calculated one can be related to the accuracy of loca-
tion of the structure with respect to the magnetic field
direction [25, 26]. The FC magnetic moment at T =
8 K is 9 × 10–6 CGS units and increases to 20 ×
10‒6 CGS units at T = 6 K. The positive change in the
magnetic moment (11 × 10–6 CGS units) is compara-
ble with the maximum diamagnetic moment (14 ×
10‒6 CGS units), and it cannot be associated with the
appearing magnetic moment of the superconducting
layer [27]. Therefore, we have to assume that the fer-
romagnetic layer is magnetized during the supercon-
ducting transition.
We now estimate the magnetic moment and the
magnetization of clusters. The authors of [28, 29]
derived the following relation between blocking tem-
perature Tb(H) and the magnetic field:
Tb (H ) = Tb (0)(1 − H /H c )m, (1)
Vol. 129 No. 2 2019
262 ZHAKETOV et al.

M × 106, CGS units Ny ×10−6

10 180 5.0
2 160 4.5
140 4.0
5 3.5
120
M × 106, CGS units 3.0
1 40 100 2.5
0 20 2.0
2 80
0 1.5
60
1.0
–5 –20 40
1 0.5
–40
0 2 4 6 8 10 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
T, K
Nz
–10
40 80 120 160 200 240 280
T, K Fig. 6. (Color online) Neutron scattering intensity for the
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure detected on the plane (Ny,
Fig. 5. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the Nz), which is perpendicular to a horizontal neutron beam,
magnetic moment of the V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure for polarization P0 = +1 and neutron wavelength λ =
under (1) ZFC and (2) FC (H = 100 Oe) conditions at tL = 3.8 Å. Here, Ny and Nz are the spatial channel numbers
33 months. along y and z, respectively.

where Tb(0) = kV/25kB, Hc = 2k/Jcl, k = HcJcl/2 is the
crystalline anisotropy constant, V is the cluster vol-
ume, kB = 1.38 × 10–16 erg/K is the Boltzmann con-
stant, Jcl is the saturation magnetization of the cluster,
and m = 2 for a relatively low field.
Using Eq. (1), we find Hc at m = 2,
H c = (H1 − ηH 2 )/(1 − η),
where η = (Tb(H1)/Tb(H2))1/2.
For magnetization, we have
J cl = 2k /H c = 50kBTb (0)/(VH c ). (3)
Using the cluster diameter (9.4 nm) determined
from synchrotron measurements, we obtain Hc =
0.9 kOe, Tb(0) = 183.5 K, and Jcl = 2.35 ± 0.2 kG,
which corresponds to the magnetization of a 2-nm-
thick Fe0.7V0.3 layer (2.25 ± 0.1 kG) determined by
magnetic measurements within the limits of experi-
mental error.
2.4. Neutron Measurements
As synchrotron radiation scattering, neutron scat-
tering can be used to determine the parameters of scat-
tering objects from the dependence of the scattering
intensity on the transferred momentum. However, the
use of neutrons is limited because of a low neutron
beam intensity as compared to synchrotron radiation.
On the other hand, neutrons are irreplaceable in
studying magnetic (ferromagnetic walls) and nuclear–
magnetic (clusters) objects due to their magnetic
moment. Figures 6 and 7 show the neutron scattering
pictures in the plane normal to a neutron beam for the
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure in a magnetic field of
1 kOe at a temperature of 10 K. Magnetic domains are
along the magnetic field. These intensity pictures are
caused by magnetic structures with characteristic sizes
L1, 2, 3 = 6.5, 21, and 57 nm [18, 19]. L1 = 6.5 nm is the
interplanar spacing in the cluster lattice. The first
(2) (Ny = 140, Nz = 130), third (Ny = 90, Nz = 95; Ny =
110, Nz = 55; Ny = 60, Nz = 120), and fifth (Ny = 15,
Nz = 35) orders of reflection from the lattice are clearly
visible. This interplanar spacing (L1 = 6.5 nm) can be
used to estimate the intercluster distance (9.3 ±
0.3 nm), which indicates a close cluster packing.
Recall that the cluster diameter determined from syn-
chrotron scattering data is 9.4 ± 0.2 nm. Parameter
L2 = 21 nm is close to 2R2 = 22 nm obtained from syn-
chrotron scattering. Parameter L3 = 57 nm was only
determined by neutron scattering and is a parameter of
a purely magnetic structure, which is likely to be the
domain wall thickness. In a low magnetic field H =
25 Oe at T = 10 K, the magnetic moments of clusters
are opposite to the magnetic field direction. The total
magnetic moment measured by a SQUID magnetom-
eter is directed identically (Fig. 3). Therefore, the
magnetization is mainly determined by clusters rather
than the magnetic medium surrounding them [18].
Low-temperature neutron measurements have
been performed for 3.5 years. The first measurements
were carried out 3 months after sample preparation.
Figure 8 displays the results of these measurements,
namely, the temperature dependence of the scattering
coefficient S(T) = 1 – (R(T) + Tr(T))/(R(150 K) +

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS Vol. 129 No. 2 2019

 MAGNETIC AND SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES 263

Ny ×10−6 S
180 0.7
4.5 S
0.6
160 4.0 0.6 P0 = −1
0.4
140 3.5 0.5 +1 0.2 17 Oe, P0 = +1
120 3.0 17 Oe
0.4 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
2.5 T, K
100
2.0 0.3
80 9.5 kOe
1.5
0.2
60
1.0
40 0.1 +1
0.5
40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 0
Nz 1 10 100 1000
T, K

Fig. 7. (Color online) Neutron scattering intensity for the

V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure detected on the plane Fig. 8. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the
(Ny, Nz), which is perpendicular to a horizontal neutron neutron scattering coefficient S(T) for the
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure at tL = 3 months for H = 17 Oe
beam, for polarization P0 = –1 and neutron wavelength
and 9.5 kOe.
λ = 3.8 Å.

Tr(150 K)) of polarized neutrons with a wavelength perature because of a decrease in the domain wall
λ = 1.28 ± 0.015 Å (scattering at T = 150 K is zero), density and the disordering of the magnetic moments
where R and Tr are the neutron reflection and trans- of clusters [18]. A comparison of Figs. 8–10 demon-
mission coefficients, respectively. strates that, in time, the scattering intensity decreases
At T = 8 K, the neutron scattering is maximal (55– threefold within 15 months and almost vanishes in
59%) and the polarization of scattered neutrons is the following 2 years. This behavior demonstrates
negative (–0.035). The neutron scattering intensity at that the clusters degrade in time and the magnetic
H = 17 Oe and T = 8 K (Fig. 8) in comparison with
that at H = 5 kOe and T = 300 K increased sevenfold layer becomes more homogeneous.
and the magnetization increased only by a factor of
1.5. Note that the nonzero polarization of scattered
S
neutrons is determined by the magnetization of clus- 0.24
ters with respect to the magnetization of the cluster- 3
surrounding medium. Therefore, the negative polar-
ization at T = 8 K points to the fact that the magnetic 0.20
moments of clusters are opposite to a magnetic field.
The magnetic moment of the surrounding medium 0.16
undergoes reorientation simultaneously with the 2
reorientation of the magnetic moments of clusters
during the superconducting transition, which is indi- 0.12
cated by the spin asymmetry of specular neutron
reflection SR(T) = (R+ – R–)/(R+ + R–) presented in 0.08
1
Fig. 11 for a temperature of (1) 8 and (2) 3 K. Here, the
moments of the clusters and the surrounding 0.04
medium are opposite to each other. When tempera-
ture decreases to 1.5 K, the magnetization (moment 0
along the magnetic field direction) of the clusters 1 10 100 1000
decreases in absolute value, the magnetization of the T, K
surrounding medium increases, and the total magne-
tization of the magnetic layer decreases. The Fig. 9. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the
decrease in the magnetization of the magnetic layer neutron scattering coefficient S(T) for the
with decreasing temperature below Tc ref lects the V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure at tL = 1.5 months: magnetic
action of superconductivity. Simultaneously, the states at (1) H = 17 Oe, (2) H = 17 Oe after preliminary
neutron scattering decreases with decreasing tem- magnetization in a field of 2 kOe, and (3) H = 1 kOe.

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS Vol. 129 No. 2 2019

264 ZHAKETOV et al.

S SR
0.05 0.2
5
0.04
6
0.03 0.1 1

0.02 3
4 0
0.01

0 –0.1 2
1
–0.01 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 –0.2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
T, K
λ, Å
Fig. 10. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the neu-
tron scattering coefficient S(T) for the V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb
structure at tL = 3.5 years for H = 28 Oe: (1) λ = 2 ± 0.2 Å, Fig. 11. (Color online) Spin asymmetry of reflection
P0 = +1; (2) λ = 2 ± 0.2 Å, P0 = –1; (3) λ = 4.6 ± 0.46 Å, SR(T) = (R+ – R–)/(R+ + R–) for a temperature of (1) 8
P0 = +1; (4) λ = 4.6 ± 0.46 Å, P0 = –1; (5) λ = 7.2 ± 0.72 Å, and (2) 3 K.
P0 = +1; and (6) λ = 7.2 ± 0.72 Å, P0 = –1.

3. STUDY OF THE STRUCTURES
Nb(70 nm)/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4 nm)/Si
AND Nb(70 nm)/Ni0.81Cu0.19(h)/Si, h = 2, 3, 4 nm
These structures were prepared by magnetron sput-
tering in the Institute for Physics of Microstructures
and the sputtering technique was described in detail in
[17]. From here on, we will designate these structures
as Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) and Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(h), where
h = 2, 3, 4 is the Ni0.81Cu0.19 layer thickness in nano-
meters.
Table 1 gives the layer parameters for the structures
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb, Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35, and
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19 at various times after their fabrication.
As follows from Table 1, the change in the copper
and nickel layer thicknesses is maximal for the
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) structure, where the magnetic layer
is thinnest. The magnetic layer thickness increased by
69% for copper and by 80% for nickel within half a
year after structure preparation. Simultaneously, the
decrease in the copper and nickel concentrations at

3.1. Spatial Profiles

Concentration, %
Figures 12 and 13 show the spatial profiles of the 100
Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) structure measured by neutral Nb
mass spectrometry (NMS) at various times. The
structure elements are seen to penetrate each other
significantly. The niobium and silicon content is sig-
nificant (30% in total) even at the center of the distri-
bution of Ni and Cu, which make up the ferromag-
netic layer of a calculated thickness of 4 nm. Nine 10 Ni
months after preparation, the copper and nickel pro- Si
files are seen to become asymmetric with respect to O Cu
each other, and the copper profile moves toward the C Si
niobium layer more strongly (Fig. 12). Half a year
later, the nickel and copper distributions changed
again (Fig. 13). For example, the magnetic layer thick- 1
ness increased from 6.5 nm by 35% to 8.8 nm (Fig. 12). 0 20 40 60 80 100
As compared to nickel, copper diffused toward the z, nm
niobium layer more strongly. As a result, a 1.5-nm-
thick layer of a niobium–copper solution and a 5-nm- Fig. 12. (Color online) Depth profiles of the elements in
thick layer of a nickel–silicon solution formed. the Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) structure at tL = 9 months.

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS Vol. 129 No. 2 2019

 MAGNETIC AND SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES 265

Concentration, % R, Ω
100 101
Nb

100

3
10–1
10 2
Si Ni
O Cu 10–2
C Si
10–3
1
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
z, nm 10–4
4 5 6 7 8 9
T, K
Fig. 13. (Color online) Depth profiles of the elements in
the Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) structure at tL = 15 months. Fig. 14. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the
electrical resistance of the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure at
H = 0: (1) two weeks after structure preparation, (2) one
the center of the magnetic layer in this structure is month after preparation, and (3) two months after prepa-
maximal (30%). ration.

3.2. Resistance Measurements Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure in the absence of a mag-

Low-temperature resistance measurements were
carried out in a He-4 cryostat using the four-probe
method in the Institute of Solid State Physics. A
Keithley 6220 precision power supply was used as a
source of current passing through a structure, and a
Keithley 2182 nanovoltmeter was used to measure the
voltage. The temperature was measured with a therm-
istor located under a sample.
In time, the critical STT decreases because of the
separation of nickel and copper and an increase in the
magnetization. Figure 14 shows the temperature
dependences of the resistance of the
netic field (H = 0) at various values of tL. Critical tem-
perature Tc is seen to change substantially in time: Tc is
8.4 K for the as-prepared structure, 8.2 K after two
weeks, 7.5 K, after a month, and only 6.85 K after two
months. The change in the critical temperature in two
months was 18.5%. Apart from Tc, the resistance also
change at temperatures both above and below Tc, and
the ratio ρ = R(T > Tc)/R(T < Tc) changed from 10 4 to
101 within two months. Since the rate of change of Tc
and ρ is higher than the rate of change of the spatial
profiles in the structure (Figs. 12, 13), the change in Tc

Table 1. Layer parameters in various structures

C1CuNi, C2CuNi,
Structure H1Cu, nm H2Cu, nm H2Cu/H1Cu H1Ni, nm H2Ni, nm H2Ni/H1Ni C1CuNi/C2CuNi
% %

V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb 20 (FeV) 7(Fe)

Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) 6.4 8.4 1.31 8 9.1 1.14 40 35 0.88
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) 2.9 4.9 1.69 3.0 5.4 1.8 70.5 49.1 0.7
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(3) 3.9 4.8 1.23 4.3 5.2 1.21 69.8 65.6 0.94
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) 5.9 6.4 1.085 6.1 5.8 0.95 70.9 62.8 0.89
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb (tL = 18 months), Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35 (subscript 1, tL = 9 months; subscript 2, tL = 15 months), Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19 (sub-
script 1, tL = 2 weeks, subscript 2, tL = 6 months). H1Cu(Ni) and H2Cu(Ni) are the Cu(Ni) layer thickness for the first and second time,
respectively; C1CuNi and C2CuNi are the total copper and nickel concentrations at the center of the magnetic layer at the first and second
time, respectively.

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS Vol. 129 No. 2 2019

266 ZHAKETOV et al.

R, Ω R, Ω
101 5
1

2, 3 4
100
2, 3
3 5 4 1 3 2
10–1
2

10–2
1

10–3 0
4 5 6 7 8 9 6 7 8 9 10
T, K T, K
Fig. 16. (Color online) Temperature dependences of the
Fig. 15. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the electrical resistances of the structure (1)
electrical resistance of the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure at Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4), (2) Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(3), and (3)
H = 100 Oe: (1) two weeks after structure preparation, (2) Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) two weeks after structure preparation
one month after preparation, and (3) two months after and the structure Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) one month after
preparation. Tc = 6.85 K. preparation at H = (4) 0 and (5) 100 Oe.

and ρ is assumed to be caused by a change in the het- 3.3. Synchrotron Measurements

erogeneous magnetic structure in the layer plane.
The Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(h) structure is characterized
Figure 15 depicts the temperature dependences of by three size parameters R1, R2, and R3. In this case,
resistance in a magnetic field H = 100 Oe. As follows
from a comparison of Tc at H = 0 and 100 Oe, the fer- the dependence of the radiation scattering intensity on
transferred wavevector Qy can be written as follows
romagnetic layer magnetized by a magnetic field
decreases Tc of the structure by 0.65 K in comparison [21–23]:
with the demagnetized layer. As time, a magnetic field N (Qy ,G1, R1, B1, P1, R2, G2, B2, P2, R3, G3, B3, P3, C )
is seen to decrease Tc. In time, a fraction of pure −P1
nickel, the magnetization of which is higher than that  
 
( )
of a nickel–copper solution, was found to form. Thus, Qy
the change in Tc in both cases is likely to be caused by
1
= G1 exp − R1 Qy + B1
2 2  
3  Qy R1 3 
the magnetization.  erf   
Figure 16 displays the temperature dependences   6  
of resistance for structures with various magnetic-
layer thicknesses. The STT of the as-prepared struc- ( )
× exp − 1 R2 Qy + G2 exp − 1 R2 Qy
3
2 2

3
2 2
( )
tures (curves 1–3) is seen to decrease with increasing −P2
magnetic-layer thickness. For example, this tem-  
 
( )
perature of the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure is lower
Qy
+ B2   exp − 1 R3 Qy
2 2
than that of the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(3) and
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) structures (8.52 K) by 0.3 K. The  Qy R2 3  3
STT of Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) at H = 0 decreased by  erf   
  6  
0.64 K one month after preparation. −P2
 
For comparison, the decrease in the STT of the  
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure at H = 0 in two weeks was
almost the same, 0.73 K. One month after prepara-
1
(
+ G3 exp − R3 Qy B3
3
2 2 
) Qy
 Qy R3 3 
 + C.
tion, the STT of Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) in a magnetic field  erf   
of 100 Oe was lower than that at H = 0 by 0.96 K.   6  
Thus, the STT was found to depend on the mag- Figures 17 and 18 show the dependences of the syn-
netic-layer thickness, the magnetic field, and the time chrotron radiation scattering intensity of the
elapsed from structure preparation. Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) structure at glancing angles θ = 5

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS Vol. 129 No. 2 2019

 MAGNETIC AND SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES 267

I, s–1 I, s–1
103 101

102
100

101

10–1
100

10–1 –2 10–2 –2
10 10–1 100 101 10 10–1 100 101
Qy, nm–1 Qy, nm–1

Fig. 17. (Color online) Experimental (black) and calcu-
lated (red) dependences of the synchrotron radiation scat-
tering intensity for the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) structure at θ =
5 mrad. The parameters obtained upon fitting the experi-
mental data are as follows: G1 = 500, R1 = 100, B1 = 0.06,
P1 = 2, G2 = 5, R2 = 5.1, B2 = 0, P2 = 0, G3 = 3, R3 = 2,
B3 = 2.1, P3 = 1.2, and C = 0.028.
Fig. 18. (Color online) Experimental (black) and calcu-
lated (red) dependences of the synchrotron radiation scat-
tering intensity for the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) structure at θ =
10 mrad. The parameters obtained upon fitting the exper-
imental data are as follows: G1 = 10, R1 = 100, B1 = 0.03,
P1 = 1, G2 = 0.8, R2 = 5.7, B2 = 0, P2 = 0, G3 = 0.3, R3 =
4, B3 = 0.015, P3 = 3, and C = 0.028.

and 10 mrad and fitting curves, which well describe
the experimental data. At θ = 5 mrad, total specular
reflection from the niobium layer preceding the mag-
netic layer takes place (radiation penetration depth is
1 nm), and the scattering at 10 mrad is mainly deter-
mined by the magnetic layer (radiation penetration
depth is 100 nm). As a result, the dependence is
smooth at θ = 5 mrad and is quasi-periodic at θ =
10 mrad.
Table 2 gives the parameters obtained by fitting the
calculated data to the experimental results. The ele-
mentary cluster size is R3 = 3–4 nm. Structures of
clusters of characteristic size R2 were also observed.
Parameter 2R1 significantly exceeds parameter 2R2.
This parameter is the linear fractal size for the
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) and Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) structures
and is the linear size of a structure of randomly located
clusters for the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(3) structure.
3.4. Magnetic Moment at H = 0
Figure 19 displays the temperature dependences of
the magnetic moment of the Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) struc-
ture in the absence of magnetic field. At T = 10 K, the
moment is negative, 3.5 × 10–6 CGS units. During the
superconducting transition (Tc = 6 K) and the first

Table 2. Structure parameters obtained from the synchrotron radiation scattering intensity for various structures
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) NB/Ni0.81Cu0.19(3) Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2)

R1 – – 65 65 100
R2 11 9 5 5.3 5.7
R3 4.7 3.3 3 4 4
P1 – – 1.3 – 1
P2 1 1.3 4 – –
P3 3 2.9 3 3 3
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb at tL = 22 months, Ni0.65Cu0.35 at tL = 3 months, and Ni0.81Cu0.19 at tL = 5 months.

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS Vol. 129 No. 2 2019

268 ZHAKETOV et al.

M × 106, CGS units M × 106, CGS units

15 20
4
1 2
3 0
10
3 M × 106, CGS units
2 20
1 4
–20 2
0
5 1
–20

–40 –40
0 –60 3
0 5 10 15 20 25
–60 T, K
–5
0 50 100 150 0 25 50 75 100 125 150
T, K T, K

Fig. 19. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the
magnetic moment of the Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) structure at
H = 0 and tL = 7 months: (1) first cooling from T = 300 K
(black), (2) heating after cooling to T = 3 K < Tc (red), and
(3) second cooling after heating (blue).
Fig. 20. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the
magnetic moment of the Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) structure at
tL = 3 months upon cooling under (1, 3) ZFC and (2, 4)
FC conditions at H = (1, 2) 20 and (3, 4) 100 Oe.

cooling (curve 1), the absolute value of the magnetic
moment changes threefold and becomes M1(T < Tc) =
11 × 10–6 CGS units (Bm = 1390 G at a layer thickness
of 4 nm). This large change in the moment cannot be
explained by the electrodynamic effect [30]. The
entire magnetic layer is thought to be superconduct-
ing. We now trace how the change in the magnetiza-
tion can be explained in this case. The magnetic field
of the superconducting current that appears as a reac-
tion to the negative magnetic moment of the layer is
directed in the positive direction, and this field mag-
netizes the magnetic layer. As a result, the absolute
value of the magnetic moment exceeds the value
before the transition. In turn (see Fig. 14), an increase
in the magnetization degrades the superconducting
properties of the magnetic layer; as a result, the dia-
magnetic moment to the new positive moment is
smaller than in the first case of a smaller (in absolute
value) negative magnetic moment. As a result, the
magnetic moment becomes stable, decreasing from
11 × 10–6 CGS units to 7 × 10–6 CGS units and
remaining positive. Upon repeated cooling (curve 3)
to the minimum temperature, the moment becomes
almost equal to the moment having appeared upon the
first cooling (curve 1).
Similar behavior of the magnetic moment was
observed in other structures. Table 3 gives the mag-
netic moments of the Ni0.65Cu0.35 and Ni0.81Cu0.19
structures at H = 0.
As follows from Table 3, the magnetization of the
structure increases in absolute value with the mag-
netic-layer thickness at both T > Tc and T < Tc. As the
Ni0.81Cu0.19 magnetic-layer thickness, the relative
change in the magnetic moment during the transition
increases, which is related to the fact that, when the

Table 3. Magnetic moment of the magnetic layer in the Ni0.65Cu0.35 and Ni0.81Cu0.19 structures at H = 0 for T > Tc and T < Tc
and saturation moment Msat
Magnetic-layer M(T > Tc), M(T < Tc), Msat,
Structure ΔM/M (T > Tc), %
thickness, nm 10–6 CGS units 10–6 CGS units 10–6 CGS units

Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) 6.5 −3.5 11 214 6 (H = 100 Oe)

Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) 2.95 −1.5 4 167 6.5
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(3) 4.1 −6 8 33 9
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) 6 −12 18 50 18

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS Vol. 129 No. 2 2019

 MAGNETIC AND SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES
M × 106, CGS units
2 ducting transition, the ratio of the field-induced
1 4) = 5.7. However, ηs cannot be larger than H2/H1 = 5.
0 during the transition. Moments M1 and M2 are seen to
M × 106, CGS units
–1 50
2 1
25
–2 2
0 moments of the superconducting layer ηs = (63 +
1 7)/(14.5 + 7) = 3.25, which is an allowed value. ηs will
–3
–25
0 5 10 15 20 25
–4
T, K
20 40 60 80 100 120 140
T, K
Fig. 21. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the
magnetic moment of the Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) structure
upon cooling under (1) ZFC and (2) FC conditions for
H = 20 Oe at tL = 7 months.
magnetic-layer thickness decreases, the layer becomes
more strongly demagnetized at T > Tc.
3.5. Magnetic Moment at H ≠ 0
Figures 20 and 21 depict the temperature depen-
dences of the magnetic moment of the Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35
structure upon cooling in a magnetic field of 20 and
100 Oe (FC) and upon zero-field cooling (ZFC) at
tL = 3 and 7 months.
The transition at tL = 3 months is seen to occur at a
temperature of 8.5 K (Fig. 20; Hall effect measure-
ments of the as-prepared structure gave 8.8 K). This
temperature differs from the temperature (6.85 K)
determined in earlier (tL = 2 months) resistance mea-
surements. This difference is likely to be related to dif-
ferent contributions of different structural regions to
the resistance and the magnetic moment. The pres-
ence of a standard diamagnetic response to a change in
the ZFC magnetic moment indicates that the diamag-
netic moment of the superconducting layer dominates
over the moment of the magnetic layer. At T = 10 K,
the moment is related to the magnetic layer and is
M1(20 Oe, 10 K) = –4 × 10–6 CGS units (induction of
309 G in a 6.5-nm-thick layer) and M2(100 Oe, 10 K) =
–3 × 10–6 CGS units under ZFC conditions. The
magnetic-field dependence of the diamagnetic
response is nonlinear. For example, the moment is
M(20 Oe, 6 K) = –14.5 × 10–6 CGS units in a field
H1 = 20 Oe and is M(100 Oe, 6 K) = –63 × 10–6 CGS
units (450 G for 70-nm-thick layer) in a fivefold field
H2 = 100 Oe. If the magnetic moment of the magnetic
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS
269
layer is assumed to unchanged during the supercon-
changes in the moment of the superconducting layer
during transition is ηs = ΔM2/ΔM1 = (63 – 3)/(14.5 –
Therefore, the moment of the magnetic layer changes
be almost equal to moment M(H = 0, 10 K), which is
reversed during the transition and becomes 7 ×
10‒6 CGS units. Assuming that the magnetic moment
is reversed and becomes 7 × 10–6 CGS units (as in the
case H = 0), we find the ratio of the diamagnetic
be even lower if the magnetic layer is magnetized in a
magnetic field. Thus, in a magnetic field of 20–
100 Oe, the magnetic layer also undergoes magnetiza-
tion reversal during the ZFC superconducting transi-
tion. Under the FC conditions, the moment is positive
at both T > Tc and T < Tc, as in the V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb
structure. The ZFC and FC dependences are inter-
sected in a field of H = 20 Oe at T = 40 K and in a field
of 100 Oe at T = 25 K, which indicates the presence of
magnetic clusters in the magnetic layer, as in the
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure.
Figure 21 shows the (1) ZFC and (2) FC tempera-
ture dependences of the magnetic moment of the
Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) structure in a magnetic field H = 20 Oe
that were obtained later, at tL = 7 months. Tc is seen to
remain unchanged as compared to the earlier mea-
surement. However, the dependences of the magnetic
moment changed substantially. For example, at T =
10 K, the ZFC magnetic moment changed by a factor
of 1.5 in absolute value and the FC magnetic moment
even became negative. At T < Tc, the moment is posi-
tive for both regimes, increases in absolute value by a
factor of 3–10, and the ZFC moment is higher than
the FC moment. The fact that the ZFC moment is
higher than the FC moment at T < Tc is likely not be
experimentally observed earlier. Thus, we can state
that the change in the spatial profile of the structure
within four months substantially changes its magnetic
characteristics.
The ZFC and FC dependences at H = 20 Oe merge
at a higher temperature (T = 60 K) than in the first
measurements, which points to a decrease in the mag-
netization of clusters. Therefore, we can conclude that
nickel leaves the clusters.
Table 4 gives the magnetization of the clusters Jcl
calculated by Eq. (3) using the blocking temperature at
two magnetic fields and the data on the magnetic clus-
ter size dm. This table also presents saturation magne-
tization Jlay for a layer of a calculated thickness using
the magnetic moment in a high magnetic field at T ≥
Tc. Note that the saturation magnetization is Jsol =
2 kG for the Ni0.65Cu0.35 solution and is 3.75 kG for the
Ni0.81Cu0.19 solution [31]. The inequality Jcl ≥ Jlay is
Vol. 129 No. 2 2019
270 ZHAKETOV et al.

Table 4. Parameters of the clusters in the magnetic layer of the structures

Structure dcl, nm Tb(0), K Hc, kOe Jlay, kG Jcl, kG
Ni0.65Cu0.35(4)
6.6 44.1 0.422 0.75 ± 0.1 3.5 ± 1.0
tL = 1 month
Ni0.81Cu0.19(2)
6 35 0.983 1.6 ± 0.2 1.4 ± 0.5
tL = 4 month
Ni0.81Cu0.19(3)
8 90 0.451 2.2 ± 0.2 4.9 ± 1.5
tL = 4 month
Ni0.81Cu0.19(4)
8 142 0.403 3.0 ± 0.3 10.5 ± 4.0
tL = 4 month
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb
9.4 183.5 0.9 2.25 ± 0.2 2.35 ± 0.2
tL = 33 month

seen to be met, which indicates that the nickel content
with respect to the cooper content is higher in clusters
than in the layer of the calculated thickness. The mag-
netization of the layer Jlay turns out to be lower than
that of the solution Jsol and increases with the layer
thickness.
Figures 22–24 show the temperature dependences
of the magnetic moment of the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19 struc-
tures for a magnetic field H = (1) 25, (2) 150, and (3)
5000 Oe. For comparison, we also present the tem-
perature dependence at H = 0 (4). For the
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) and Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(3) structures,
the ZFC moment at H = 5 kOe is negative at T < Tc,
which points to the fact that the diamagnetic moment
of the superconducting layer is higher than the
moment of the superconducting layer. First, this find-
ing is related to the fact that the magnetic moment of
a thin layer is low in absolute value. Second, in this
case, the diamagnetic moment of the superconducting
layer increases with the magnetic field more strongly
than the magnetic moment of the magnetic layer. As a
result, when the magnetic field increases, the diamag-

M × 106, CGS units

M × 106, CGS units
20 10
5

3 80 5 3 M × 106, CGS units

5
10 5
CGS units

60 4 3 20
M × 106,

4 40 3 2 1 3
20 0
0 1 4 –20
–20 –40
0 2 6 10 14 T, K 0 –60 2
7 –80
2 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
2
T, K 1
6 –5
–10 M × 106, CGS units 6, 7
CGS units

1200 6 200 5 7
M × 106,

1 800 7 0
400 –200 6 4
0 –10 –400
–20 2 6 10 14 –600
T, K 2 6 10 14 T, K
50 100 150 200 250 300 50 100 150 200 250 300
T, K T, K

Fig. 22. (Color online) Temperature dependences of the
magnetic moment of the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure
under ZFC and FC conditions 3.5 months after structure
preparation: (1) H = 0; (2) ZFC, H = 25 Oe; (3) FC, H =
25 Oe; (4) ZFC, H = 150 Oe; (5) FC, H = 150 Oe; (6)
ZFC, H = 5 kOe; and (7) FC, H = 5000 Oe. Upper inset:
(1) H = 0; (2) ZFC, H = 25 Oe; (3) FC, H = 25 Oe; (4)
ZFC, H = 150 Oe; and (5) FC, H = 150 Oe. Lower inset:
(1) ZFC, H = 5 kOe; (2) FC, H = 5 kOe.
Fig. 23. (Color online) Temperature dependences of the
magnetic moment of the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(3) structure
under ZFC and FC conditions 3.5 months after structure
preparation: (1) H = 0; (2) ZFC, H = 25 Oe; (3) FC, H =
25 Oe; (4) ZFC, H = 150 Oe; (5) FC, H = 150 Oe; (6)
ZFC, H = 5 kOe; and (7) FC, H = 5000 Oe. Upper inset:
(1) ZFC, H = 0; (2) ZFC, H = 25 Oe; and (3) FC, H =
25 Oe. Lower inset: (1) ZFC, H = 150 Oe; (2) FC, H =
150 Oe; (3) ZFC, H = 5000 Oe; and (4) FC, H = 5 kOe.

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS Vol. 129 No. 2 2019

 MAGNETIC AND SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES 271

M × 106, CGS units I, s–1

212
5 4 3 5

2
210
0
M × 106, CGS units M × 106, CGS units
1 100 3 1
01 0 5
–100 –800
–5 –200 208 2
–1600 6
–300 2
6 –400 –2400
4
4
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
T, K T, K
–10 206
3
20 40 60 80 100 0 40 80 120 160
T, K T, K

Fig. 24. (Color online) Temperature dependences of the Fig. 25. (Color online) Temperature dependences of the
magnetic moment of the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) structure neutron intensities I(T) reflected from and transmitted
under ZFC and FC conditions 3.5 months after structure through the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure under ZFC and
preparation: (1) ZFC, H = 0; (2) ZFC, H = 25 Oe; (3) FC, FC conditions at H = 25 Oe for λ = 2 Å ± 10% at tL =
H = 25 Oe; (4) ZFC, H = 150 Oe; (5) FC, H = 150 Oe; and
(6) ZFC, H = 5 kOe. Left-hand inset: (1) ZFC, H = 0; 3.5 months: (1) ZFC, P0 = +1; (2) ZFC, P0 = –1; (3) FC,
(2) ZFC, H = 25 Oe; (3) FC, H = 25 Oe. Right-hand inset: P0 = +1; and (4) FC, P0 = –1.
(4) ZFC, H = 150 Oe; (5) FC, H = 150 Oe; and (6) ZFC,
H = 5 kOe.
characteristic temperatures at which the ZFC and FC
curves are intersected. The dependences of the posi-
netic moment of the superconducting layer becomes tive and negative neutron polarizations are slightly dif-
higher than the moment of the magnetic layer in abso- ferent, which indicates that neutrons are scattered by
lute value, which eventually leads to a negative total
moment. These data are analogous to the data
obtained for the V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure in a mag-
netic field of 1 kOe (Fig 4). The moment of the I, s–1
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) and Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(3) structures is
lower than that in a magnetic field of 150 Oe by an
order of magnitude. The ZFC and FC dependences 178
coincide, which points to the absence of hysteresis 2
(elastic regime of changing the magnetization). Obvi-
ously, the magnetic moment in this case is normal to a
magnetic field. 176
1
3
3.6. Neutron Measurements
The authors of [32] performed detailed neutron 174
investigations of the magnetic behavior of layered 4
Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) structure. Here, we present the
results of new studies of the Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) struc-
172
ture and the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure. We now 20 40 60 80 100
compare data on the temperature of merging the ZFC T, K
and FC dependences obtained in magnetic and neu-
tron measurements. Figures 25 and 26 show the tem- Fig. 26. (Color online) Temperature dependences of the
perature dependences of the total ZFC and FC inten- neutron intensities I reflected from and transmitted
sities of neutrons I reflected from and transmitted through the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure under ZFC and
through the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure. Note that FC conditions at H = 150 Oe for λ = 2 ± 0.2 Å at tL =
the intensity I = I0 – Is is determined by neutron scat- 2 months: (1) ZFC, P0 = +1; (2) ZFC, P0 = –1; (3) FC,
tering intensity Is. The dependences are seen to have P0 = +1; and (4) FC, P0 = –1.

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS Vol. 129 No. 2 2019

272 ZHAKETOV et al.
SR
0.08
2
0.04
0
1 2
–0.04
–0.08
10 100
T, K
Fig. 27. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the
polarization asymmetry of the specular neutron reflection
from the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) structure under (1) ZFC and
(2) FC conditions in a magnetic field H = 70 Oe. The
blocking temperature is found to be 25 K, which is lower
than the magnetometric value (in contrast to the neutron
scattering data).
both domain walls and nuclear–magnetic clusters. It
is also seen that the polarization dependences of neu-
tron scattering are different for both the FC and ZFC
conditions and two different magnetic fields. In the
ZFC mode, the magnetic moments are along a mag-
netic field; in the FC mode, the magnetic moments
are opposite to a magnetic field. The blocking tem-
perature is 150 K at H = 25 K (Fig. 25) and 70 K at
150 Oe (Fig. 26). These values are higher than the val-
ues of 125 and 56 K obtained in the magnetic measure-
ments by 20–25%. The blocking temperature weakly
depends on the neutron polarization and, hence, is
mainly determined by the domain wall density.
Figure 27 depicts the temperature dependences of
the polarization asymmetry of the ZFC and FC spec-
ular neutron reflections in a magnetic field H = 70 Oe
for the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(2) structure. The blocking
temperature was found to be 25 K, which is lower than
that obtained in the magnetometric measurements
(29 K) unlike the neutron scattering data.
The neutron and magnetic methods are seen to give
the blocking temperatures that coincide accurate to
20–25%. Obviously, the difference between the block-
ing temperatures determined in the magnetic and neu-
tron measurements is determined by measurable val-
ues. For example, the magnetic moment that is the
sum of the moments of clusters and domains is deter-
mined in the magnetic measurements. The contribu-
tion of domains to the total moment increases with the
magnetic field. The asymmetry of neutron reflection
is proportional to the magnetization, which in turn is
proportional to the magnetic moment of the structure.
However, as compared to the magnetic measure-
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS
I, s–1
152
3
148
144
140 1
0 2 4 6 8 10
T, K
Fig. 28. (Color online) I(T) for the Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4)
structure at λ = 2 Å and P0 = +1 in (1) E1, (2) E2, and (3)
E3. The errors do not exceed the circle sizes.
ments, the contribution of the surface during neutron
reflection is higher as compared to that of the struc-
ture volume. The neutron scattering intensity is also
determined by clusters and domain walls. However,
when the magnetic field increases, the neutron scat-
tering is most strongly determined by clusters.
Figure 28 shows the temperature dependence of
the total neutron intensity I(T) of the
Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) structure beginning from 10 to
1.5 K for three experiments (curves 1–3). In the first
experiment, a magnetic field of 25 Oe was used at 10 K
(E1 (1)). In the second experiment at T = 10 K (E2,
(2)), the structure was magnetized in a field of 500 Oe,
a field was changed to 25 Oe, and measurements were
carried out when temperature was changed from 10 to
1.5 K. Curve 3 (E3) was obtained in an experiment
with a magnetic field of 200 Oe similarly to curve 1. It
is seen that, in the temperature range 5–8 K, curve 2 is
above curve 1 and curve 3 is above curve 2. This
behavior is explained by the fact that the structure in
experiments E2 and E3 is magnetized. At T = 4 K for
all experiments and at T = 9 K in experiment E2, the
intensity decreases because of neutron scattering by
magnetization fluctuations during the superconduct-
ing transition and an increase in the domain wall den-
sity. At T = 9 K, the transition occurs due to the prox-
imity effect in the magnetic layer adjacent to the nio-
bium layer; at T = 4 K, the transition takes place
throughout the magnetic layer.
The fact that the superconducting transition takes
place is also indicated by the fact that, at T = 4 and
9 K, the transfer of the momentum of neutrons
increases toward an increase in the glancing angle of
Vol. 129 No. 2 2019
 MAGNETIC AND SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES 273

+ +
SR SR
0.10 0.20

0.15
0.05
0.10

0.05
0
0
–0.05 –0.05

–0.10
–0.10
2 3 4 5 6
–0.15
λ, Å 2 3 4 5 6
λ, Å
Fig. 29. Asymmetry of neutron reflection in “plus” spin Fig. 30. Asymmetry of neutron reflection in “plus” spin
state SR+ (5 K, 10 K) for the Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) structure. state SR+ (1.5 K, 10 K) for the Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) structure.

reflected neutrons and a decrease in the glancing angle
of refracted neutrons. This behavior is explained by
inelastic neutron scattering by magnetization fluctua-
tions. The energy transferred normal to the interfaces
is 0.2 neV. It should be noted that the real energy trans-
fer can be slightly higher because of a 100% inelastic
scattering probability and momentum transfer toward
other directions.
When the temperature decreases beginning from
T = 4 K, the asymmetry of specular neutron reflec-
tion,
whole, the scattering increases with decreasing tem-
perature. The scattering intensity changes periodi-
cally. The scattering is seen to be polarization sensi-
tive, i.e., cluster related, only at certain temperatures
in the temperature ranges 8–8.5 and 3–4 K, where the
scattering is maximal. Therefore, as for the
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure, we can conclude that a
change in the domain structure leads to the motion of
the magnetic moments of clusters due to a change in
the interaction of two systems.

SR+ (T ,T0 ) = (R + (T ) − R+(T0 ))/(R + (T ) + R+(T0 )) I, s–1

increases in the “plus” spin state (neutron polarization
toward magnetic field vector). Figures 29 and 30 dis-
play the SR+ dependences for T0 = 10 K at H = 25 Oe 315
and T = 5 and 1.5 K, respectively. The increase in the
asymmetry of specular neutron reflection in a fixed
spin state when the temperature decreases demon-
strates the magnetization of the medium surrounding 2
310
clusters increases. However, as follows from Fig. 28,
the neutron scattering by domain walls at T = 1.5 K 1
remains almost unchanged as compared to T = 5 K.
Thus, the action of superconductivity in this case is 305
reduced to the rotation of the magnetic moments of
domains toward the magnetic field direction.
Recall that, in contrast to this structure, the mag-
netization of the surrounding medium in the 2 4 6 8 10
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure increased due to an T, K
increase in the domain size.
Figure 31 shows the temperature dependence of the Fig. 31. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the
neutron scattering coefficient of the neutron intensity for the Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure in a
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure in a magnetic field of magnetic field of 25 Oe at a neutron wavelength λ = 2 Å
25 Oe toward a decrease in the temperature. On the and polarization P0 = (1) +1 and (2) –1.

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS Vol. 129 No. 2 2019

274 ZHAKETOV et al.

SR SR
0.15 0.10

0.10
0.05

0.05

0
0

–0.05 –0.05
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
λ, Å λ, Å

Fig. 32. Spin asymmetry of reflection SR(T) for the Fig. 33. Spin asymmetry of reflection SR(T) for the
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure at T = 9 K and H = 25 Oe. Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure at H = 25 Oe and T = 1.5 K.

Figures 32 and 33 depict the spin asymmetry of
reflection SR(T) for a temperature of 9 (Fig. 32) and
1.5 K (Fig. 33). It is seen that SR(1.5 K) ≈ 0.7SR(9 K).
Therefore, the magnetization of the medium sur-
rounding clusters decreases by 30% when the tem-
perature decreases from 9 to 1.5 K. As follows from the
data shown in Figs. 32 and 33, the domain size
decreases with decreasing temperature. This behavior
of the domain structure differs radically from the
behavior of the domain structures in
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb and Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4). The mag-
netization decreases beginning from T = 4 K. There-
fore, 4 K is thought to be the STT in the magnetic layer
at H = 25 Oe.
Figures 34 and 35 depict the coherent propagation
(reflection + transmission) intensity I(T) in a mag-
netic field of 75 and 150 Oe, respectively. In contrast
to a field of 25 Oe, the scattering decreases with
decreasing temperature in a magnetic field of 75 or
150 Oe. Obviously, this is related to an increase in the
domain size, when the domain wall density decreases
(as in the case of V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb). At T = 2.5 K, the
scattering is identical to that at T = 4 K and H = 25 Oe
for the Nb/Ni0.65Cu0.35(4) and Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4)
structures. Temperature T = 2.5 K was taken to be the
STT in the magnetic layer at H = 75 and 150 Oe.
Polarization-dependent neutron scattering caused by
scattering by clusters is observed in the curves in
Figs. 34 and 35 before T = 2.5 K. As follows from
Fig. 34, the moments of clusters at H = 75 Oe are
either normal to and along a magnetic field (T = 3.25,
6, 7 K) or opposite to a field (T = 1.75, 4.5, 7.5 K). At
H = 150 Oe, the moments are either normal or oppo-
site to a magnetic field (T = 4.5, 6.5 K). The behaviors
of the magnetization of the magnetic layer at 75 and
150 Oe are different. As follows from the temperature
dependences of asymmetry SR(T), the magnetization
of the cluster-surrounding medium decreases in a field
of 75 Oe and increases in a field of 150 Oe. Thus, the
behaviors of clusters and domains are different for all
magnetic fields. The simultaneous decrease in the
magnetization and the increase in the dissociation in a
field of 75 Oe are unusual. The saturation magnetiza-
tion is likely to decrease in this case as well. It should
I, s–1
180
178
1
2
176
174
2 4 6 8 10
T, K
Fig. 34. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the
neutron intensity for the Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure in a
magnetic field of 75 Oe at a neutron wavelength λ = 2 Å
and neutron polarization P0 = (1) +1 and (2) –1.

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS Vol. 129 No. 2 2019

 MAGNETIC AND SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES
I, s–1
164
163
1 In time, the clusters degrade, the layers in the
162
161
2
160
159
0 5 10 15 20
T, K
Fig. 35. (Color online) Temperature dependence of the
neutron intensity for the Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure in a
magnetic field of 150 Oe at a neutron wavelength λ = 2 Å
and neutron polarization P0 = (1) +1 and (2) –1.
be noted that, at the wavelengths that are longer than a
critical wavelength (4 Å for H = 25 Oe and 5 Å for H =
75, 150 Oe), a neutron wave is split in the angle of
reflection, which is caused by neutron transitions
between spin states in a magnetic field because of
magnetic noncollinearity [33]. This process was found
to occur near the surface of a structure in a magnetic
field of a few kilooersteds. This field at the surface of
the niobium layer can only be induced by clusters, the
magnetic moments of which are either perpendicular
to the interface or oriented at a nonzero angle to the
interface.
4. CONCLUSIONS
The main conclusions of studying three types of FS
structures are as follows. Their magnetic layers are
structurally heterogeneous. The magnetic properties
of the structures are determined by magnetic nano-
clusters, ferromagnetic domains, and the magnetic
layer thickness. Clusters and domains interact with
each other. The action of superconductivity on the
magnetic state of clusters is reduced to changing the
orientations of their magnetic moments. The action of
superconductivity on a domain structure leads to a
change in the direction of the magnetic moments of
domains and a change in their sizes. The magnetic
field determines the STT in a structure and the action
of superconductivity of its magnetic state. A supercon-
ducting transition in the magnetic layer of the
Nb/Ni0.65(0.81)Cu0.35(0.19) structures takes place at a
temperature below the STT in the superconducting
layer. The STT in the magnetic layer also depends on
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS
275
the magnetic field. The superconducting transition in
the structure is accompanied by the magnetization
reversal of the magnetic layer and the reverse of its
magnetic moment in a low magnetic field or even in
the absence of a field.
V/FeV/V/FeV/Nb structure become more homoge-
neous, and the magnetic and superconducting proper-
ties of the structures change substantially. In time, Ni
and Cu atoms in the Nb/NiCu structures separate in
depth to form individual layers. As a result of the sep-
aration of Ni and Cu, the STT in the
Nb/Ni0.81Cu0.19(4) structure decreases.
The superconducting properties changed rather
rapidly, within one–two weeks after structure prepa-
ration, which is likely to be related to a change in the
heterogeneous structure in the magnetic-layer plane.
The magnetic properties of the structure changed in a
few months, which correlated with the changes in the
depth profiles of the element concentrations.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We thank V.L. Aksenov and L.Ya Vinnikov for their help
in the investigations and helpful discussions and
M.V. Avdeeva and A.V. Tomchuk for the useful discussions
of the small-angle synchrotron radiation scattering data.
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