Abstract
Growth and magnetic properties of Co ultrathin films on Pd(111) surface are studied with a ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and in situ surface magneto-optical Kerr effect measurement as a function of Co thickness. STM images of Co-covered surface reveal that the growth proceeds as a good layer-by-layer epitaxy up to a thickness of 2 ML. Image at a coverage of 1 ML shows almost complete monolayer coverage instead of disconnected islands. At higher coverages, the surface shows uniformly distributed three-dimensional (3D) clusters of ∼5 nm size manifesting 3D-like growth mode. Co films begin to show ferromagnetism at a coverage of 1.5 ML with a strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, which persists up to 5 ML. For the Co films thicker than 5 ML, reorientation transition from perpendicular to in-plane magnetic anisotropy is observed to occur over a thickness range of ∼1.5 ML. Interestingly, in this thickness range, Pd overlayer is found to drastically change the magnetic behavior.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
