Abstract
We used Brillouin light scattering to probe and quantify the effect Al overlayers have on the magnetic properties of epitaxial Fe layers grown on GaAs 001 . In addition, we correlate the magnetic properties with structural properties obtained using reflection high-energy electron diffraction. We unexpectedly find that an epitaxial Al overlayer induces a significant volume component to the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy energy in 1.1–3.0 nm Fe layers of magnitude 2.5±0.2 105 erg/cm3. Our data indicate that the origin of this volume component resides in the presence of an anisotropic strain and relaxation induced in the Fe layer. However, for thinner Fe layers, the overlayer suppresses the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of Fe layers. We also find that the Al overlayer has no effect on the cubic magnetic anisotropy energy and effective magnetization as our measured values of these constants are consistent and in good agreement with previous reports of Fe layers with Au and Cu overlayers and those without an overlayer.
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.
