New possibilities for tuning ultrathin cobalt film magnetic properties by a noble metal overlayer.
Complementary multiscale magneto-optical studies based on the polar Kerr effect are carried out on an ultrathin cobalt wedge covered with a silver wedge and subsequently with the Au thick layer. A few monolayers of Ag are found to have a substantial effect on magnetic anisotropy, the coercivity field, and Kerr rotation. The silver overlayer thickness-driven magnetic reorientation from easy axis to easy plane generates a new type of 90 degrees magnetic wall for cobalt thicknesses between 1.3 and 1.8 nm. The tuning of the wall width in a wide range is possible. Tailoring of the overlayer structure can be used for ultrathin film magnetic patterning.
Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Bialystok, Lipowa 41, 15-424 Bialystok, Poland.
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M
Kisielewski
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A
Maziewski
M
M
Tekielak
A
A
Wawro
L T
LT
Baczewski