Magnetic order at stepped Fe/Cr interfaces

The influence of surface atomic step density on the magnetic moment of Cr layers on Fe(001) has been studied in situ by Alternating Gradient Magnetometry (AGM). Contrary to previous results on flat surfaces where large Cr moments were observed coupled antiferromagnetically to their Fe nearest neighb...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of magnetism and magnetic materials Vol. 148; no. 1; pp. 42 - 43
Main Authors Miethaner, S., Bayreuther, G.
Format Journal Article Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.07.1995
Elsevier Science
Subjects
Applied sciences
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Exact sciences and technology
Magnetic properties and materials
Magnetic properties of monolayers and thin films
Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers
Metals. Metallurgy
Physics
Antiferromagnetism
Thickness
Interfaces
Tight binding approximation
Chromium
Magnetic moments
Surfaces
Magnetic structure
Iron
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Summary:The influence of surface atomic step density on the magnetic moment of Cr layers on Fe(001) has been studied in situ by Alternating Gradient Magnetometry (AGM). Contrary to previous results on flat surfaces where large Cr moments were observed coupled antiferromagnetically to their Fe nearest neighbours, the sample moment remains essentially unchanged if Cr is deposited on a strongly faceted Fe surface. During addition of a second Fe layer on a 6 ML Cr/Fe(001) film the sample moment stays constant up to an average Fe thickness of 5 ML and increases linearly with the nominal Fe thickness for thicker layers. This behaviour is interpreted as topological antiferromagnetism due to the specific step structure of the surface in agreement with recent tight binding calculations.
ISSN:0304-8853
DOI:10.1016/0304-8853(95)00142-5