Growth and magnetic properties of ultrathin Fe films on Pt(1 1 1)

• Published in: Surface science Vol. 601; no. 18; pp. 4334 - 4338
• Main Authors: Chen, Y.J., Ho, H.Y., Tseng, C.C., Shern, C.S.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 15.09.2007; Amsterdam Elsevier Science; New York, NY
• Subjects: Auger electron spectroscopy; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Iron; Low-energy electron diffraction; Magneto-optical Kerr effect; Physics; Platinum; Low-energy electron diffraction; Auger electron spectroscopy; Iron; Platinum; Magneto-optical Kerr effect; Ultrathin films; Transition elements; Kerr magneto-optical effect; LEED; AES
• ISSN: 0039-6028; 1879-2758
• DOI: 10.1016/j.susc.2007.04.121

Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), and surface magneto-optical Kerr effect (SMOKE) were used to investigate the growth mode, alloy formation, and magnetic properties of ultrathin Fe films deposited on Pt(1 1 1) surface. The growth mode of Fe films on Pt(1 1 1) at RT is at least 3 ML layer-by-layer growth before three-dimensional island growth begins. When the thickness of Fe films was 1 ML, no Kerr signal is observed at room temperature. Both the polar and longitudinal Kerr signals can be detected when the thickness of Fe films ( d Fe) is 1.5 ML. When the thickness of Fe films is higher than 1.5 ML, only the longitudinal Kerr signal can be observed. The easy axis of the magnetization is in the in-plane direction when d Fe > 1.5 ML. After the formation of Fe–Pt surface alloy for 5 ML Fe ultrathin films on a flat Pt(1 1 1) surface, the Kerr signal and the coercivity enhance to 150% and 1100%, respectively. The formation of Fe–Pt surface alloy was confirmed by AES. The evolutions of the magnetic properties are strongly relative to the diffusion process of Fe thin films into Pt substrate.