Local Spin Polarization in Au Layers of Co/Au(111) Multilayers by57Fe Mössbauer Probes

Abstract

To observe position-dependent spin polarization in nonmagnetic layers sandwiched by ferromagnetic layers, Mossbauer measurements were performed for Co/Au(111) multilayers of which Au layers were doped depth selectively with 57 Fe microprobes. The depth-dependent Mossbauer relaxation profiles were observed at room temperature, and were attributed to differences in local spin polarization in the spacer layers, demonstrating that the local spin polarization is distinguishable with monolayer resolution. The magnitude of spin polarization decreases from the Co/Au interface to the middle of the 20 A thick Au layer.