Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy Caused by Interfacial Hybridization via Enhanced Orbital Moment in $Co / Pt$ Multilayers: Magnetic Circular X-Ray Dichroism Study

Magnetic circular x-ray dichroism (MCXD) measurements at the Co

L_{2, 3}

and

M_{2, 3}

core edges reveal a strongly enhanced perpendicular Co orbital moment (

m_{orb}

) in Co/Pt multilayers which show perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). MCXD signals at the Pt

N_{6, 7}

and

O_{2, 3}

edges, arising from Pt

5 d - Co 3 d

hybridization, persist for the thinnest Co layer. The hybridization is shown to be localized at the Co/Pt interface and to cause the

m_{orb}

enhancement which drives PMA. Unambiguous evidence for a transition from fcc to hcp Co is presented and

m_{orb}

of bulk fcc Co has been determined to be

0.11 μ_{B}

for the first time.

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Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy Caused by Interfacial Hybridization via Enhanced Orbital Moment inCo/PtMultilayers: Magnetic Circular X-Ray Dichroism Study