Epitaxial strain, metastable structure, and magnetic anisotropy in Co-based superlattices (invited)

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
We explore the relationship between interface structure and magnetic anisotropy in three types of Co‐based superlattices: Cohcp‐Au; Cofcc‐Cu; and Cohcp‐Cr, grown epitaxially on GaAs(110). For very thin layers of Co, Co‐Au, and Co‐Cu superlattices exhibit a perpendicular easy axis due to magnetoelastic contributions to the anisotropy energy. The magnetic anisotropy in Co‐Cr is found to be strongly dependent on growth conditions. At slow deposition rates of Co the interface between Co and Cr becomes diffuse as is evidenced by a low saturation moment and a shift toward perpendicular anisotropy whereas samples with abrupt interfaces show predominantly parallel anisotropy. The Cr layers grow in a metastable hcp phase which appears to be paramagnetic. The results illustrate the influence of the heterointerface on magnetic properties.

This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit: