Effect of quantum well states in Cu overlayer on magnetic anisotropy of Fe and Co films revisited

The effect of quantum well states (QWS) formed in a Cu overlayer on the magnetic anisotropy of Fe and of Co films underneath is investigated at low temperatures. An oscillatory magnetic anisotropy is observed below 50 K, with a period of LCu = 5.8 ML, and it is the same for Cu/Fe and Cu/Co. We attri...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review. B, Condensed matter and materials physics Condensed matter and materials physics, 2013-04, Vol.87 (13), Article 134401
Main Authors: Manna, S., Gastelois, P. L., Dąbrowski, M., Kuświk, P., Cinal, M., Przybylski, M., Kirschner, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed matter
Copper
Fermi level
Fermi surfaces
Iron
Magnetic anisotropy
Oscillations
Quantum wells
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The effect of quantum well states (QWS) formed in a Cu overlayer on the magnetic anisotropy of Fe and of Co films underneath is investigated at low temperatures. An oscillatory magnetic anisotropy is observed below 50 K, with a period of LCu = 5.8 ML, and it is the same for Cu/Fe and Cu/Co. We attribute this effect to QWS from sp electrons in Cu which hybridize to d electrons at the Fermi level in Fe (and Co) and thus modify the magnetic anisotropy at low temperatures. This is why the effect was not so pronounced in the experiments reported 15 years ago showing the low-amplitude oscillations detected at 170 K [Ch. Wursch et al., Nature (London) 389, 937 (1997) (http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/40081)].
ISSN:1098-0121
1550-235X
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.87.134401