Abstract
Magneto-optic Kerr effect measurements of ultrathin p(1×1) Fe films on graded-step-density W(100) are used to study step-induced magnetic anisotropy. Spot-profile-analysis low-energy-electron diffraction is used to characterize the stepped W(100) surface prior to film growth and the epitaxial Fe layer after vapor deposition. The experimental results are qualitatively compatible with prior experiments and with theoretical predictions based on the Néel model and on a one-dimensional micromagnetic model proposed by Hyman, Zangwell, and Stiles (HZS). The observed evolution of hysteresis loop shape as a function of step density and anisotropy strength (which was varied by chemisorption of oxygen) is observed to be consistent with a hysteresis loop phase diagram based on the HZS model. However, the measured variation of switching field versus vicinal angle α for 2 monolayer thick Fe films differs significantly from the quadratic dependence predicted by the Néel model and from the dependence predicted by HZS. The surface-step-induced anisotropy vanishes at high vicinality (α∼10°) and novel two-state switching is observed at specific vicinal angles.
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