Anomalous magnetic anisotropy in ultrathin transition metals
- Department of Physics and the Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 (United States)
We have used [ital in] [ital situ] polar Kerr effect measurements to probe directly the magnetic anisotropy of ultrathin MBE-grown Co films with and without overlayers of various nonmagnetic metals ([ital X]=Ag, Cu, Pd). To investigate the Co/[ital X] interface, we measured perpendicular hysteresis curves as a function of overlayer coverage. We find the magnitude of the perpendicular anisotropy is strongly peaked near [similar to]1 atomic layer (1.5--2 A) coverage for Ag and Cu overlayers. For Cu, the overlayer with the strongest effect, the total anisotropy energy rapidly decreases by a factor of 3 from its peak value after a total coverage of only [similar to]2 atomic layers (4 A) of Cu.
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-87ER45297
- OSTI ID:
- 6098876
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States) Vol. 48:13; ISSN PRBMDO; ISSN 0163-1829
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
COBALT
COPPER
DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
EPITAXY
FILMS
INTERFACES
KERR EFFECT
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
METALS
MOLECULAR BEAM EPITAXY
PALLADIUM
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLATINUM METALS
SILVER
THIN FILMS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS