Magnetic properties of ultra-thin 3d transition-metal binary alloys I: spin and orbital moments, anisotropy, and confirmation of Slater-Pauling behavior

TL;DR

This study comprehensively characterizes the magnetic properties of ultra-thin 3d transition-metal binary alloys, confirming theoretical predictions and expanding understanding beyond the traditional Slater-Pauling model.

Contribution

It provides detailed experimental data on magnetic moments, anisotropy, and orbital magnetization across alloy compositions, confirming Slater-Pauling behavior and offering new insights into thin-film magnetic properties.

Findings

Magnetic properties vary systematically with alloy composition.

Interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is quantified.

Results align with theoretical predictions and previous data.

Abstract

The structure and static magnetic properties - saturation magnetization, perpendicular anisotropy, spectroscopic g-factor, and orbital magnetization - of thin-film 3d transition metal alloys are determined over the full range of alloy compositions via X-ray diffraction, magnetometry, and ferromagnetic resonance measurements. We determine the interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy by use of samples sets with varying thickness for specific alloy concentrations. The results agree with prior published data and theoretical predictions. They provide a comprehensive compilation of the magnetic properties of thin-film Ni-Co, Ni-Fe and Co-Fe alloys that goes well beyond the often-cited Slater-Pauling dependence of magnetic moment on alloy concentration.