Magnetic moments at the surface of antiferromagnetic NiO(100).
The orientation of magnetic moments at the (100) surface of antiferromagnetic NiO single crystals is studied by x-ray linear magnetic dichroism in photoemission microscopy. T domains are observed terminating at the surface, with domain boundaries running mostly along in-plane [10] directions. From the detailed polarization dependence we find that the magnetic surface structure of a cleaved crystal is bulk terminated. This is in contrast to sputtered surfaces, where magnetic moments lie within the surface plane, forming a magnetically relaxed structure. These findings are of importance for understanding the exchange bias phenomenon.
Hillebrecht
F U
FU
Institut für Angewandte Physik, Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Ohldag
H
H
Weber
N B
NB
Bethke
C
C
Mick
U
U
Weiss
M
M
Bahrdt
J
J