Magnetism and epitaxy of Fe/Cr(001) multilayers

Abstract

Spin-polarized low-energy electron-diffraction measurements show in-plane remanent magnetization of Fe thin films only for thicknesses above two monolayers (2 ML) on Cr(100). This is interpreted as due to a dominant surface-induced perpendicular anisotropy for d(Fe) {less-than or approximate} 2 ML. For d(Fe) = 3 ML, the magnetization lies almost fully in the plane of the thin film. Evaporation of Cr on top of the 3 ML Fe film does not destroy the in-plane magnetic order at the interface. Intercalation of a 10 ML Cr slab between two Fe slabs gives rise to antiparallel coupling between the ferromagnetic films. The clean Cr(001) surface, however, shows no in-plane magnetic order. © 1988.