MAGNETO-OPTICAL STUDIES OF NOVEL EPITAXIAL FILMS

Abstract

The magneto-optic Kerr-effect technique is used to explore the magnetic properties of ultra-thin epitaxial films of iron and chromium grown on (100) faces of gold and copper. The studies extend into the monolayer range, and are performed in the ultra-high-vacuum environment in which the films are grown. Auxiliary low-energy electron diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy studies are used to characterize the epitaxy and growth-mode behavior. Highlights include: (a) an observed lowering of the Curie temperature, compared to that of the bulk, for monolayer-range iron grown epitaxially on the lattice-matched (100) face of gold; (b) correlations between magnetism and morphology; (c) a search for the predicted ferromagnetism of chromium monolayers; and (d) the observation of a new, metastable surface magnetic state for the high-temperature, face-centered-cubic phase of iron, which is stabilized via epitaxy on the (100) face of copper. The opportunities, challenges and limitations posed by the present magneto-optical approach in assessing the properties of these atomically-engineered materials will be evaluated.