Interfacial reactivity of magnetic exchange coupled Co/α-Fe2O3(0001) interfaces

The present study focuses on the growth mode and interface reactivity of the prototypical Co/alpha-Fe2O3(0001) ferromagnet/antiferromagnet interface. The knowledge of these properties is essential to improve our understanding of the exchange bias phenomenon. The chemical composition of the interface...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Surface science 2007-09, Vol.601 (18), p.4321-4325
Main Authors: BEZENCENET, O, BARBIER, A, OHRESSER, P, BELKHOU, R, STANESCU, S, OWENS, J, GUITTET, M.-J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
Exact sciences and technology
Physics
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Summary:The present study focuses on the growth mode and interface reactivity of the prototypical Co/alpha-Fe2O3(0001) ferromagnet/antiferromagnet interface. The knowledge of these properties is essential to improve our understanding of the exchange bias phenomenon. The chemical composition of the interface has been determined by means of X-ray absorption spectroscopy and the morphology of the growing Co film by scanning tunneling microscopy. Our experiments evidence a 3D growth and the presence of a spatially limited reactive interface that spreads to approximately one atomic layer on either side of the interface. This area is chemically composed by a layer of reduced hematite and a layer of oxidized cobalt. In the early stages of growth the interface composition is found to be dependent on the Co coverage and reaches quickly a steady state of fixed composition.
ISSN:0039-6028
1879-2758
DOI:10.1016/j.susc.2007.04.114