Abstract
We demonstrate that two distinct surface contributions to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy can be used to control the magnetic properties of thin films of bcc Fe1-xCox grown on GaAs (100) and Sc1-yEryAs (100). The bare GaAs (100) surface has twofold symmetry, and Fe1-xCox films grown directly on it show a strong uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. Fourfold symmetry is restored in films grown on interlayers of Sc1-yEryAs, in which the rock-salt structure provides a fourfold symmetric surface. A uniaxial magnetic anisotropy can be induced in this case by miscutting the substrate towards a {111} plane, so that vicinal steps run along a 〈011〉 direction. A simple Néel pair-bonding model describes the evolution of the anisotropy with the degree of miscut. For miscut GaAs (100) surfaces without interlayers, both the intrinsic anisotropy originating from the surface bonding and a step-induced term contribute to the total magnetic anisotropy. Depending on the orientation of the miscut, the step contribution can either enhance or partially suppress the intrinsic uniaxial anisotropy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 6674-6676 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Journal of Applied Physics |
Volume | 89 |
Issue number | 11 II |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1 2001 |
Event | 8th Joint Magnetism and Magnetic Materials-Intermag Conference - San Antonio, TX, United States Duration: Jan 7 2001 → Jan 11 2001 |