Depth-resolved Nuclear Resonance Scattering under X-ray standing wave -an approach to study interface magnetism

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a depth-resolved nuclear resonance scattering method using X-ray standing waves to independently probe the magnetic properties of buried interfaces in Fe/Tb multilayers, combining theoretical simulations with potential experimental application.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining XSW and GI-NRS for depth-resolved analysis of buried magnetic interfaces, validated through theoretical simulations.

Findings

Depth resolution achieved via 57Fe layers at interfaces.

Independent measurement of two interfaces demonstrated theoretically.

XSW and GI-NRS can effectively study buried magnetic interfaces.

Abstract

The isotope selective grazing-incidence nuclear resonance scattering (GI-NRS) technique is demonstrated to be depth-resolved under x-ray standing wave (XSW) conditions to probe the magnetism of the two interfaces of the Fe layers (Fe-on-Tb and Tb-on-Fe interface) independently in Tb/Fe/Tb trilayer structures. Depth resolution was achieved by placing an ultra-thin layer of 57Fe at both interfaces (Tb/57Fe/Fe/57FeTb). Intentionally, both 57Fe layers were assumed to have different hyperfine fields and orientations. Based on theoretical simulations, it is demonstrated that the antinode regions of XSWs generated through the W/Si multilayer structure allow one to independently measure the Fe-on-Tb and Tb-on-Fe interface at different incident angles. These theoretical simulations of NRS patterns at different incident angles correspond to 57Fe layers independently in the Tb/Fe/Tb trilayer. The present work shows the capability of combining XSW and GI-NRS to study buried magnetic interfaces in thin film structures.