Depth-dependent magnetism in epitaxial MnSb thin films: effects of surface passivation and cleaning

Journal Article · Thu Mar 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/24/14/146002· OSTI ID:1048197

D, Aldous J; Sanchez-Hanke, C; Burrows, C W; Maskery, I; Brewer, M S; Hase, T P.A.; Duffy, J A; Lees, M Rs; Decoster, T; Theis, W; Quesada, A; Schmid, A K; Bell, G R

Depth-dependent magnetism in MnSb(0001) epitaxial films has been studied by combining experimental methods with different surface specificities: polarized neutron reflectivity, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), x-ray resonant magnetic scattering and spin-polarized low energy electron microscopy (SPLEEM). A native oxide {approx}4.5 nm thick covers air-exposed samples which increases the film's coercivity. HCl etching efficiently removes this oxide and in situ surface treatment of etched samples enables surface magnetic contrast to be observed in SPLEEM. A thin Sb capping layer prevents oxidation and preserves ferromagnetism throughout the MnSb film. The interpretation of Mn L{sub 3,2} edge XMCD data is discussed.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE SC OFFICE OF SCIENCE (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 1048197
• Report Number(s): BNL-98137-2012-JA; JCOMEL; 39KC02000; TRN: US201216%%793
• Journal Information: Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter, Vol. 24, Issue 14; ISSN 0953-8984
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CLEANING
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ETCHING
FERROMAGNETISM
MAGNETIC CIRCULAR DICHROISM
MAGNETISM
NEUTRONS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
PASSIVATION
REFLECTIVITY
SCATTERING
SURFACE TREATMENTS
THIN FILMS
spintronic
epitaxial
MnSb
advantageous
national synchrotron light source