Composition-driven spin-reorientation transition in ferromagnetic alloy films
Journal
Physical Review B
Journal Volume
57
Pages
R3209-R3212
Date Issued
1998
Author(s)
Abstract
A spin-reorientation transition upon a variation of the Fe concentration (Formula presented) is observed in ultrathin fcc (Formula presented) alloy films on Cu(001) for (Formula presented)>77%. For film thicknesses below 4 monolayers the magnetic easy axis changes from in-plane on the Co-rich side to out-of-plane on the Fe-rich side. Since no structural transitions accompany this spin-reorientation transition, varying the alloy composition can be interpreted as varying the number of (Formula presented) electrons. Upon changing the average (Formula presented)-band filling by as little as 0.1 electron strong changes of the anisotropy energy are observed. © 1998 The American Physical Society.
SDGs
Type
journal article