Study of magnetic anisotropy and magnetization reversal using the quadratic magnetooptical effect in epitaxial CoxMnyGez(111) films

• Published in: Journal of physics. Condensed matter Vol. 21; no. 29; pp. 296005 - 296005 (11)
• Main Authors: Muduli, P K, Rice, W C, He, L, Collins, B A, Chu, Y S, Tsui, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 22.07.2009; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: BEAM; CO2MNGE; Condensed matter physics; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; FE FILMS; Fysik; HEUSLER ALLOY; KERR; Kondenserade materiens fysik; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic properties of monolayers and thin films; Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers; NATURAL SCIENCES; NATURVETENSKAP; Physics; THIN-FILMS; X-RAY-DIFFRACTION; Magnetization reversal; Phase diagrams; Epitaxial layers; Kerr magneto-optical effect; Magnetic hysteresis; Germanium alloys; Stoner model; Magnetic anisotropy; Manganese alloys; Heusler alloys; Magneto-optical effects; Chemical composition; Cobalt alloys; Transition element alloys
• ISSN: 0953-8984; 1361-648X; 1361-648X
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/21/29/296005

Magnetic anisotropy, magnetization reversal and the magnetooptic Kerr effect in CoxMnyGez have been studied over a range of compositions between 0 and 50 at.% of Ge and between 1 and 3 in the Co to Mn atomic ratio, including the Heusler alloy Co2MnGe. A strong quadratic magnetooptic Kerr effect has been observed within a narrow region of composition centered around the Co to Mn atomic ratio of 2, which has been used to probe and quantify the magnetic anisotropy and magnetization reversal of the system. The anisotropy is sixfold with a weak uniaxial component, and it exhibits sensitive dependence on composition, especially on the atomic ratio between Co and Mn. The magnetization reversal process is consistent with the single-domain Stoner-Wohlfarth model.