Controlling exchange coupling strength in NixCu100-x thin films

Thickness (dF) and concentration (x) dependence of the Curie temperature of NixCu100-x(dF) ferromagnetic alloy layers (x =0.55,0.65, dF =[3nm{\div}12nm]) being in contact with a vanadium layer was studied. The Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic layers depends on the thickness when it is comparable with the interface layer between the F and the vanadium layers, which is attributed to the proximity coupling of the interface region with the rest of the F layer. The present study provides valuable information for fabrication of samples with controlled exchange coupling strength for studies of superconductor/ferromagnet (S/F) proximity effects.