Pt-Co multilayers: Interface effects at the monolayer limit

Abstract

This work focuses on the structural and magnetic features of Pt-Co multilayers prepared by e-beam evaporation. In order to examine interface and induced magnetism effects, the layer thickness was always kept under 4 monolayers. X-ray diffraction spectra revealed the multilayer nature of the samples while magnetometry measurements recorded tuneable perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and enhanced magnetization values due to the high degree of Pt-polarization in a ferro-magnetic environment. The experimental technique that allows one to study induced magnetism is the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism, which provides quantitative information on spin and orbital magnetic moments. Enhanced Pt contribution on the perpendicular anisotropy was evidenced, while the induced (spin, orbital and total) magnetic moments, and the ratio orbital-to-spin magnetic moments were derived by application of the sum rules. © 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.