Microscopic analysis of the composition driven spin-reorientation transition in NixPd1−x/Cu(001)

• Published in: Ultramicroscopy Vol. 159; pp. 503 - 507
• Main Authors: Gottlob, Daniel M., Doğanay, Hatice, Nickel, Florian, Cramm, Stefan, Krug, Ingo P., Nemšák, Slavomír, Schneider, Claus M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2015
• Subjects: Magnetic anisotropy; Magnetism; Spin-reorientation transition; Thin films; Thin films; Magnetism; Spin-reorientation transition; Magnetic anisotropy
• ISSN: 0304-3991; 1879-2723
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2015.05.022

The spin-reorientation transition (SRT) in epitaxial NixPd1−x/Cu(001) is studied by photoemission microscopy utilizing the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism effect at the Ni L2,3 edge. In a composition/thickness wedged geometry, a composition driven SRT could be observed between 37ML and 60ML, and 0 and 38% of Pd. Microspectroscopy in combination with azimuthal sample rotation confirms a magnetization preference changing from the [001] to an in-plane easy axis. At this increased thickness, the domain patterns arrange comparable to SRTs in ultrathin films. The images document domains equivalent to a canted state SRT, at which an additional effect of in-plane anisotropies could be identified. •Composition driven SRT in NiPd/Cu(001) imaged by X-ray circular dichroism PEEM.•Domain ground state of thin film system under varying uniaxial anisotropy.•Identification of a canted state SRT in a domain state.•In-plane anisotropies influence found in the reorientation domain arrangement.