Magnetic dichroism and spin-resolved photoemission from rough interfaces

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Abstract
The magnetic structure of ultrathin Cr films on Fe is analyzed by taking into account the roughness of the surface and of the interface. An algorithm for the epitaxial growth of the film simulates the near-surface structure, and the magnetic moment distribution is calculated self-consistently in a periodic Anderson model. For rough interfaces we find that the layered antiferromagnetic structure of the Cr adlayer is quenched. Within this model we determine the spin polarization and the value of the magnetic linear dichroism to be expected in angle-resolved photoemission. Comparing with experimental data it is concluded that Cr grows on the Fe(001) in a Stranski-Kastranoff mode. We propose an explanation based on the confinement of the itinerant electrons within the Cr islands on the Fe substrate.