Fe/V and Fe/Co (001) superlattices: growth, anisotropy, magnetisation and magnetoresistance

TL;DR

This paper reviews the physical properties of Fe/V and Fe/Co (001) superlattices, focusing on magnetic anisotropy, magnetisation, and magnetoresistance, with experimental measurements and theoretical comparisons.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on how layer thickness and lattice mismatch influence magnetic anisotropy and interlayer exchange coupling in Fe-based superlattices.

Findings

Magnetic anisotropy depends on in-plane strain from lattice mismatch.

Antiferromagnetic coupling and GMR occur at specific V layer thicknesses.

A cutoff in antiferromagnetic coupling occurs when Fe layer exceeds about 10 monolayers.

Abstract

Some physical properties of bcc Fe/V and Fe/Co (001) superlattices are reviewed. The dependence of the magnetic anisotropy on the in-plane strain introduced by the lattice mismatch between Fe and V is measured and compared to a theoretical derivation. The dependence of the magnetic anisotropy (and saturation magnetisation) on the layer thickness ratio Fe/Co is measured and a value for the anisotropy of bcc Co is derived from extrapolation. The interlayer exchange coupling of Fe/V superlattices is studied as a function of the layer thickness V (constant Fe thickness) and layer thickness of Fe (constant V thickness). A region of antiferromagnetic coupling and GMR is found for V thicknesses 12-14 monolayers. However, surprisingly, a 'cutoff' of the antiferromagnetic coupling and GMR is found when the iron layer thickness exceeds about 10 monolayers.