In-plane magnetic anisotropy of Fe/V (0 0 1) superlattices

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials 2002-03, Vol.241 (2), p.260-270
• Main Authors: Broddefalk, A., Nordblad, P., Blomquist, P., Isberg, P., Wäppling, R., Le Bacq, O., Eriksson, O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Fe/V; Magnetic anisotropy; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic properties of monolayers and thin films; Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers; Magnetically ordered materials: other intrinsic properties; Magnetoelastic coupling; Physics; Superlattices
• ISSN: 0304-8853; 1873-4766
• DOI: 10.1016/S0304-8853(01)01379-8

The magnetization and the in-plane magnetic anisotropy energy of Fe (15 ML)/ V(1 –12 ML) superlattices have been examined and their relation to the growth of the superlattices is discussed. The individual lattice parameters of the strained Fe and V layers are calculated theoretically from the elastic energy. The calculations rather accurately reproduce the experimentally derived average lattice parameters of the superlattices. The measured in-plane magnetic anisotropy is compared to calculated results employing bulk values of the anisotropy constants and magnetoelastic coupling coefficients. A good agreement between the results is found provided interface coefficients are included in the calculations. A first principles study reproduces an observed reduction in saturation moments of the interface and is shown to be caused by an induced moment on the interface V atoms that couple antiparallel to the Fe moments in combination with a reduction of the magnetic moments of the Fe atoms at the interface. A theoretical calculation of bulk Fe reproduces the experimental ‘bulk’ contribution to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the magnetoelastic coupling of the films.