A comparison of the magnetic anisotropy of [001] and [111] oriented Co/Pd Multilayers

Superlattices of (001) sub(fcc) Co/Pd with varying Co thicknesses from one to eight atomic layers per modulation period were epitaxially grown on NaCl by vapour deposition in UHV. Transmission electron diffraction indicates lattice coherence between the Co and the Pd layers for Co thicknesses up to six atomic layers. If deposited at a substrate temperature T sub(s) = 50 degree C, only the superlattices containing Ci-monolayers show perpendicular magnetization. By raising T sub(s) to 200 degree C, the perpendicular anisotropy for Co monolayers is increased, and is also observed for Co bilayers. We suggest that this is due to layer smoothening, which increases Neel's interface anisotropy.