Interface anisotropy in cobalt-based epitaxial superlattices

Abstract

We have measured the magnetic anisotropy in a series of Co-Au and Co-Cu superlattices prepared by molecular-beam epitaxy. Significant epitaxial strains give rise to a magnetoelastic contribution and a large crossover thickness (∼19 Å) for perpendicular easy magnetization. The results are discussed in the context of a careful analysis of the interfacial strains and coherence determined by in situ. time-resolved reflection high-energy electron diffraction techniques and x-ray scattering.