Abstract
The properties of ultra-thin vanadium layers in V/Ru(0001) superlattices grown bymolecular beam epitaxy were studied. The atomic structure of V was investigated byvarious methods including reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), x-raydiffraction (XRD) and polarized x-ray-absorption fine structure (PXAFS). It appears that,for up to three atomic layers, V adopts a slightly distorted hexagonal-close-packed (hcp)structure induced by pseudomorphic growth on Ru(0001). By increasing the Vthickness to four atomic layers, this structure almost completely relaxes towards thebody-centered-cubic (bcc) bulk structure. This sharp structural transition is alsomanifested in the electronic properties. A reduced superconducting transitiontemperature between 0.6 and 1.05 K was found in the bcc V/hcp Ru superlattice, whilesuperconductivity is quenched in the superlattice with hexagonal V. This behavior mightbe linked to the existence of a ferromagnetic ground state of the metastable V induced bythe hybridization of the d-bands at the hcp V/Ru interface, as predicted fromfirst-principles density-functional theory.
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.
