Structural and magnetic properties of Co/Cr(001) superlattices

The relationship between the evolution of crystal structure and interface magnetic anisotropy of MBE-grown Co/Cr(001) superlattices was investigated. Crystal structure was determined by both reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and XRD. The Co layers grew in an hcp phase with their (110) planes oriented parallel to the Cr(001) planes. Magnetic anisotropy was measured using magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) techniques. The easy axis of magnetization was found to be perpendicular to the film plane below a Co thickness of about 14 A. The value of interface anisotropy constant K sub s was determined to (0.85plus/minus0.1) erg/cm exp 2 assuming the bulk magnetization of hcp Co.