Magnetism in Fe/V superlattices and alloys

The first principles discrete variational X_α method was used to calculate the electronic structures, magnetic moments and the conduction electron contact spin densites at a central V site in a number of 15 atom clusters representing [110]-interfaces in Fe/V superlattices and alloys. It was found that interactions between the spin-up and spin-down 3d electrons behave differently as the number of Fe atoms, P, in the first coordination shell of a central V atom changes. The 3d magnetic moments at the V sites were found to vary strongly with P, and their variation with respect to changes in the number of Fe atoms in the second shell, Q, was found to depend on P. The sign of 4s and 4p moments was found to change from positive to negative as the average 3d magnetic moment per atom at the first shell sites goes from negative to positive. The conduction electron contact spin densities follow the pattern of the 4s moment as P varies. The results of previously calculated Fe-centered and the present V-centered clusters are combined to study the average magnetic moment in iron-vanadium superlattices and alloys.     

Superconducting properties of superlattices containing ferromagnetic layers

Using the microscopic theory formulated by de Gennes and extended by Takahashi and Tachiki, we calculate the transition temperatureT _c and the pair functionF for the superlattices consisting of superconducting and ferromagnetic layers. Superconducting layers. (s) and ferromagnetic layers (f) are modeled byV _s ≠0 andI _m,s =0 andV _f =0 andI _m,f ≠0, whereV _s .(V _f ) is the BCS coupling constant andI _m,s (I _m,f ) is the molecular field fors (f) layers.     

Superconducting behaviour of Nb/Co superlattices

We study the superconducting and magnetic behaviour of Nb/Co superlattices, for superconducting Nb layer thickness of 44 nm and Co layer thickness less than 1 nm. In this limit no ferromagnetism is observed for Co. The superlattice behaves as independent superconducting Nb layers. We obtain the penetration depth and superconducting gap of the material, and analyze the results in terms of microscopic models and theories.     

Magnetic properties of 57Fe/Ir(100) superlattices

Summary The synthesis of a new BCT Fe phase was performed in Fe/Ir(100) superlattices grown by MBE. Magnetic properties of⁵⁷Fe/Ir(100) superlattices with 4 ml Fe and variable Ir thickness (2–30 ?) are investigated by⁵⁷Fe conversion electron M?ssbauer spectroscopy in the 4.2–300 K temperature range. Two spectral components are evidence, related, respectively, to Fe atoms involved in the central part of the iron layers and at the interface between iron and iridium layers. The appearance of a high magnetic hyperfine splitting in the iron BCT structure above a volume threshold of 12 ?³ is evidenced. Marked differences are observed between the mean magnetic properties and the local ones suggesting strong relaxation effects. Paper presented at ICAME-95, Rimini, 10–16 September 1995.     

The influence of interlayer exchange coupling on magnetic ordering in Fe/V superlattices

The relation between the interlayer exchange coupling and magnetic order is addressed, using Fe/V(0 0 1) superlattices as a model system. Large decrease in the ordering temperature (T_c) is observed with decreasing interlayer exchange coupling. The effective exponents of the magnetization were determined to be larger than 0.5 for all the samples, which is strongly deviating from the classical values of both two- and three-dimensional systems. This effect can partially be ascribed to the presence of boundaries, invoked by the finite number of magnetic layers.     

Radiofrequency magnetoresistance of Fe/Cr superlattices

The rf magnetoresistance of Fe/Cr superlattices is studied for two orientations of the current: parallel and across the superlattice layers. A mutually single-valued correspondence is established between the relative magnetoresistance measured at dc current and the change in the transmission coefficient of electromagnetic waves in the magnetic field. When rf currents flow across the layers, the relative change in the signal amplitude is proportional to twice the change in the electrical resistance of the superlattice and is of opposite sign. It is shown that the rf losses are determined by the surface resistance which is proportional to the superlattice thickness and inversely proportional to its conductivity. An equation is derived for the rf electric field distribution in the superlattice. It is established that when the thickness of the superlattice is small compared with the skin layer depth, field and current components which penetrate through the entire superlattice exist.     

Magnetic structure simulation of Fe/V superlattices with a variable thickness of iron layers

The model of the magnetic structure of Fe/V superlattices is discussed. The discrepancy in estimation of the critical temperature for the Fe₂/V _n /Fe₃/V _n superlattice obtained by neutron scattering and the magneto-optical Kerr effect is caused by inhomogeneity of the magnetization distribution in a finite superlattice.     

The effect of strain and interfaces on the orbital moment in Fe/V superlattices

The dependence of the Fe orbital moment on strain and interfaces in Fe/V superlattices has been investigated by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). The orbital moment was determined to be lower at the interfaces than in the bulk, which we attribute to Fe–V hybridization. An enhancement of the orbital moment with increasing strain in the Fe layers was observed. This enhancement is attributed to an unquenching of the orbital moment. Consequently, the orbital moment of Fe in Fe/V is concluded to be influenced by two competing parameters. It is lowered by increasing interface density, and enhanced by increasing strain.     

Magnetic and Superconducting Properties of the Heterogeneous Layered Structures V/Fe0.7V0.3/V/Fe0.7V0.3/Nb and Nb/Ni0.65(0.81)Cu0.35(0.19)

Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics - The heterogeneous ferromagnetic–superconducting layered heterostructures V/Fe0.7V0.3/V/Fe0.7V0.3/Nb and Nb/Ni0.65(0.81)Cu0.35(0.19), which...     

Effect of magnetic ordering on optical and magneto-optical properties of Fe/Cr superlattices

Optical reflectance/transmittance and magneto-optical Kerr effect of Fe/Cr superlattices (SL) are studied by using the first principles full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave method. Equilibrium atomic structures are optimized through total energy and atomic force approaches. Pronounced peaks in the ellipticity and optical spectra are obtained around 3000 cm⁻¹ for the ferromagnetic SL due to the inter-band electron excitations. The change in magnetic ordering from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic cases alters optical functions, namely, the reflectance, R and transmittance T. The calculated ΔR/R and ΔT/T have a pronounced maximum around 2000 cm⁻¹ and decay almost linearly thereafter toward high photon energies, a result that agrees qualitatively well with experiment.     

Specific features of magnetic properties of three-component magnetic superlattices based on Fe/Co/Mo

Synthesis of three-component magnetic superlattices based on the Fe/Co/Mo system by cathode sputtering in an electron-oscillating discharge and their complex investigations have been performed for the first time. The fields have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, vibrational magnetometry, and Mössbauer spectroscopy with the use of completely computerized systems. Oscillations of the main magnetic parameters with a change in the Mo thickness and giant spontaneous magnetization have been found. The properties of three-component superlattices are compared with those of the analogous system based on Fe/Mo.     

Magnetism and structure of hexagonal Fe in Fe/Ru superlattices

Mössbauer spectroscopy is applied to study the magnetism and the local structure of Fe/Ru superlattices. Fe Layers show hcp structure, isomorphous with Ru. A well-defined symmetry is observed at Fe sites, withV _zz along thec axis. The Fe/Ru interfaces are non-magnetic over the two first layers, but a large moment (2μ_B/Fe) exists beyond. Magnetic coupling between neighbouring Fe Layers is observed at small spacing, i.e. for Ru thickness lower than 13 Å typically.     

Magnetic properties and domain structure of epitaxial (001) Fe/Pd superlattices

The magnetic properties of well-characterized (001)Fe/Pd superlattices prepared by molecular beam epitaxy are presented. The saturation magnetization is enhanced due to the polarization of the Pd interface, and analysis of hysteresis loops indicate low coercive fields, abrupt magnetic reversals, and ferromagnetic coupling between the Fe layers for all Pd thickness investigated (10–50 Å). It is also found that deposition on a stationary substrate can create a weak uniaxial in-plane anisotropy, which, for one of the two easy directions of Fe, causes a spontaneous rotation of the magnetization by 90° at low fields. This effect is clearly demonstrated by optical Kerr-effect imaging of the magnetic domain structure, and can be mistaken for antiferromagnetic coupling with very weak coupling fields. The strength of this uniaxial anisotropy is found to oscillate rapidly with Pd thickness, suggesting that it is very sensitive to the microstructure.     

The hyperfine properties of a hydrogenated Fe/V superlattice

We study the effect of hydrogen on the electronic, magnetic and hyperfine structures of an iron-vanadium superlattice consisting of three Fe monolayers and nine V monolayers. The contact charge density (ρ), the contact hyperfine field (B_hf) and the electronic field gradient (EFG) at the Fe sites for different H locations and H fillings are calculated using the first principle full-potential linear-augmented-plane-wave (FP-LAPW) method. It is found that sizeable changes in the hyperfine properties are obtained only when H is in the interface region.     

Polarized neutron reflectometry of Fe/Cr/Gd superlattices

The magnetic structure of Fe/Cr/Gd superlattices is investigated using complementary methods of SQUID magnetometry and polarized neutron reflectometry. The complex magnetic behavior of the given system is caused by exchange interaction between the 3d (Fe) and 4f (Gd) layers of the ferromagnetic metals through the Cr antiferromagnetic spacer layer. It is found that a nonuniform profile of magnetization forms within the Gd layers under the influence of this interlayer interaction.     

Magnetization temperature dependence in Fe/Cr superlattices

We report the temperature dependence of the saturation magnetization, M_s(T), of Fe(t)/Cr(40 Å) superlattices grown on MgO(1 0 0) and MgO(1 1 0) and its variation with Fe-layer thickness (5 Å<t<80 Å). The structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction. M_s(t) vs. T, as measured by DC magnetization and ferromagnetic resonance, show a large interface effect. The origins of this effect are discussed.     

High-frequency properties of Fe/Cr superlattices with thin Cr layers in the millimeter-wavelength range

Microwave properties of Fe/Cr multilayer nanostructures with thin chromium layers (with thickness t _Cr < 1 nm) are analyzed. Experiments are performed by the method of penetration of microwaves in the frequency range from 26 to 38 GHz. The dependence of the transmission coefficient for microwaves on the constant magnetic field strength exhibits the microwave magnetoresistive effect and magnetic resonance. The resonance spectrum is reconstructed from measurements at various frequencies. The results of microwave measurements are analyzed together with the results of magnetic and magnetoresistive measurements.     

Step-induced canting of magnetization in Fe/Ag superlattices

We have investigated the reorientation of the easy axis of magnetization in (0 0 1) Fe/Ag superlattices using vibrating sample magnetometry, Mössbauer spectroscopy and nuclear resonance scattering of synchrotron radiation. Clear evidence is found that the Fe-layer magnetization can be oriented considerably out of the plane of the sample at room temperature, even for Fe-layer thicker than 6 ML at which the spin-reorientation transition usually occurs in Fe/Ag. The spin canting is attributed to frustration and a strong contribution of a step-induced anisotropy.     

Quantitative interface roughness analysis of Fe/Cr superlattices

The quantitative characterization of the interface roughness of Fe/Cr superlattices is necessary for the understanding of the transport properties of such structures. This must include both vertical and lateral roughness components. The information can be obtained by specular and off-specular X-ray diffraction and conversion electron Mößbauer spectroscopy. We show how models describing specular and diffuse X-ray diffraction can be applied to extract quantitative data. The robustness of such data can be further enhanced using anomalous scattering, leading to an enhanced material contrast for Fe/Cr. Similarity and complementarity of the X-ray diffraction results with the Mößbauer data are discussed.