Quantum well states in Au/Ru(0001) and their effect on the magnetic properties of a Co overlayer

Abstract

The magnetic properties of Co/Au/Ru(0001) as a function of thickness-dependent quantum well states (QWS) in the Au spacer layer were investigated using spin-polarized low energy electron microscopy. Au grown epitaxially on Ru(0001) at room temperature was annealed at ∼300 °C. Upon annealing, Au forms micron-sized islands across stepped regions of Ru, forming local wedges of different Au thicknesses. Energy scans clearly reveal the existence of QWS in Au/Ru(0001). After depositing Co films on top of the Au, we found that the Curie temperature (Tc) and the spin reorientation transition (SRT) of the Co film on the Au islands are different from those of the Co film on the Au wetting layer. However, the QWS of the Au layer have no effect on the Tcand the SRT of the Co film. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.