Structural analysis of Fe/Cr superlattices and their components

• Published in: Journal of physics. Condensed matter 1998-01, Vol.10 (1), p.61-66, Article 61
• Main Authors: Schad, R, Bahr, D, Falta, J, Beliën, P, Bruynseraede, Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Exact sciences and technology; Giant magnetoresistance; Low-dimensional structures (superlattices, quantum well structures, multilayers): structure, and nonelectronic properties; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetotransport phenomena, materials for magnetotransport; Metals. Metallurgy; Physics; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties)
• ISSN: 0953-8984; 1361-648X
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/10/1/007

Structural analysis of metallic superlattices is essential for understanding their interesting transport properties such as the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect. We present a detailed analysis of the [Fe (4.8 A)/Cr (13 A)] sub 50 superlattice which shows a record GMR value. The analysis is done by simulating its x-ray diffraction spectrum measured with a synchrotron x-ray source. The ingredients for this simulation are obtained from simulations of x-ray diffraction spectra of single Fe and Cr films. This way we reduce the number of free parameters resulting in reliable values for the interfaces roughness. We also show that x-ray diffraction spectra of systems with low contrast in electron density can be quantitatively analysed.