The effect of x-ray photons on the magnetic domain memory in a [Co/Pd] / IrMn multilayers*

I am studying the effect that coherent x-rays potentially have on the magnetic domain memory in a [Co / Pd] / IrMn multilayers. To investigate this potential effect we have used both XRMS (xray resonant magnetic scattering) together with magneto-transport to track the exchange bias while the sample is illuminated with x-rays. A loss of exchange bias would indicate that the x-rays illuminating the sample have an effect on the exchange coupling between the ferromagnetic [Co/Pt] layer and the antiferromagnetic [IrMn] layer, causing the exchange bias. Studying a possible loss of exchange bias necessitates collecting reference magneto-transport data to compare with data from x-ray scattering experiments at the APS (Advance Photon Source).