Open AccessCombining CXMD and XSW to study magnetic and geometric properties of thin films: Gd/Fe(100)
Author(s) -
Treusch R.,
Drube W.,
Materlik G.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s0909049598018317
Subject(s) - wiggler , magnetic circular dichroism , synchrotron , monolayer , magnetization , synchrotron radiation , materials science , crystallography , magnetism , condensed matter physics , chemistry , optics , magnetic field , physics , spectral line , nanotechnology , electron , quantum mechanics , astronomy , cathode ray
The magnetic and geometric structure of 1–5 monolayers (ML) of Gd on Fe(100) single crystals has been investigated using synchrotron X‐rays between 4 and 8 keV. Choosing a high‐flux wiggler beamline made it possible to analyse the magnetic properties by studying the circular X‐ray magnetic dichroism (CXMD) and, in addition, to apply the X‐ray standing‐wave (XSW) technique to elucidate the geometric structure of the overlayers. CXMD reveals that Gd couples antiferromagnetically to the Fe substrate and that 2 ML Gd at 243 K yield a magnetization of ∼22% with respect to the saturation value of a thick Gd foil at 123 K. A magnetic polarization of the Gd pertains even at 308 K. While LEED investigations do not show any long‐range lateral order of the Gd film, XSW measurements reveal an ordering of Gd perpendicular to the (100) surface of Fe.