  Asymmetric magnetization reversal is an unusual phenomenon in antiferromagnet
/ ferromagnet (AF/FM) exchange biased bilayers. We investigated this phenomenon
in a simple model system experimentally and by simulation assuming
inhomogeneously distributed interfacial AF moments. The results suggest that
the observed asymmetry originates from the intrinsic broken symmetry of the
system, which results in local incomplete domain walls parallel to the
interface in reversal to negative saturation of the FM. Magneto-optic Kerr
effect unambiguously confirms such an asymmetric reversal and a depth-dependent
FM domain wall in accord with the magnetometry and simulations.
