Structural and magnetic properties of ultrathin epitaxial Fe films on GaAs(001) and related semiconductor substrates

• Published in: Advances in physics Vol. 54; no. 2; pp. 137 - 219
• Main Authors: Wastlbauer, G., Bland, J. A. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis Group 01.03.2005; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Diffusion; interface formation; Exact sciences and technology; Interfacial magnetic properties (multilayers, magnetic quantum wells, superlattices, magnetic heterostructures); Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers; Physics; Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Interfacial layer; Semiconductor materials; Crystal orientation; Epitaxy; Kerr magneto-optical effect; Iron; Substrates; Interface structure; Magnetic anisotropy; Transition elements; Mismatch lattice; Growth mechanism; Magnetic properties
• ISSN: 0001-8732; 1460-6976
• DOI: 10.1080/00018730500112000

This article presents a review of the structural and magnetic properties of ultrathin epitaxial Fe films on GaAs(001) and related semiconductor substrates. Interest in these systems and Fe/GaAs(001) in particular has increased significantly over the last two decades, largely due to the emergence of the field of magnetoelectronics. Since then numerous studies of molecular beam epitaxy of Fe on GaAs(001) have been carried out, making it by far the best researched Fe/semiconductor(001) system. Issues such as magnetic anisotropy in the ultrathin regime, however, remain controversial with contradictory reports in the literature giving rise to considerable controversy within the field. By carefully scrutinizing the enormous amount of literature published on Fe/GaAs(001) so far and analysing these results within the wider context of Fe/semiconductor(001) systems, this article tries to settle some of these controversial issues, hence providing a long overdue 'common denominator' for research in this area.