Evidence for "loose spins" in epitaxial Al/Fe/Al

Abstract

Polarization-dependent Fe K-edge x-ray absorption fine structure measurements of an Al/Fe/Al(001) trilayer reveal a small tetragonal distortion of the Fe sites with c = 2.863 Å (normal to the film plane) and a = 2.874 Å (in the film plane). This tetragonal distortion is consistent with the formation of Fe1-xAlx alloys in the vicinity of the roughened Fe-Al trilayer interfaces, and agrees with grazing incidence x-ray reflectivity and magnetometry measurements of the trilayer. The deduced alloyed/roughened interfacial regions are the likely source of Fe "loose spins" as recently suggested by Slonczewki's biquadratic coupling model for the epitaxial Fe/Al/Fe system.

Department(s)

Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1063/1.364543

Publication Date

4-15-1997

Journal Title

Journal of Applied Physics

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