Evidence for a strain-induced variation of the magnetic moment in epitaxial Cu/Ni/Cu/Si(100) structures

Abstract

We have studied the magnetic moment and in-plane strain in epitaxial Cu/Ni/Cu/Si͑100͒ structures by varying both the Ni and Cu buffer layer thickness. We find a sharp reduction in magnetic moment with increasing Ni lattice strain. Our structural and temperature-dependent studies exclude interdiffusion, interface roughness, and a decreased Curie temperature as possible causes of the reduced moment, but reveal a strong correlation between the strain and magnetic moment in Cu/Ni/Cu structures.

Modification of interface magnetic anisotropy by ion irradiation on epitaxial Cu/Ni/Cu(002)/ Si(100) films

“…The dramatic reduction in M s is consistent with the results of others. 10,24,25 In order to investigate the effects of ion-irradiation quan- ϭ0.978 ergs/cm 2 , K I irr. ϭ0.045 ergs/cm 2 .…”

“…There have been controversies regarding the origin of the PMA transition: whether magnetoelastic ͑ME͒ effect or interface magnetic anisotropy effects are major factors. [8][9][10][11] Moreover, it has been recently demonstrated that ion irradiation can be used to modify magnetic anisotropy characteristics of thin films from perpendicular to lateral magnetic easy axis. [12][13][14][15] Ion irradiation has been used to modify magnetic properties such as magnetic anisotropy, coercivity, and magnetic exchange fields for well-known PMA systems such as Co/Pt superlattice, Co/Pd, Pt/Co/Pt, Fe/Ag, Fe/Cu, Ni/Pd, and Cu/Ni/Cu.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] One of the advantages of perpendicular over longitudinal magnetization is that it leads to higher recording densities with higher thermodynamic stability.…”

Epitaxially stabilized iron thin films via effective strain relief from steps

“…On one hand, due to the designed matching of the lattice constant, ideal electronic and magnetic properties can be sustained in the thin film [1][2][3] . On the other hand, the existing lattice mismatch can enhance the magnetic moments 4,5 , magnetic anisotropy [6][7][8] , and spin polarization 9 . In both cases, an appropriate choice of the substrate is crucial to stabilize the epitaxial thin films with desired functionalities.…”

Structural domain growth of strained gadolinium on Mo(112)

“…The crystalline structure and domain growth mode of thin metal fi lms can have signifi cant infl uences on the electronic and magnetic structure [1,2,3,4]. Recently, we have studied the altered magnetic [5, 6 and 7], and electronic [5,8,9,10,11], behavior of strained thin fi lms of gadolinium that were obtained by growing Gd on a corrugated Mo(112) substrate, as opposed to W(110) [12], which supports a more 'unstrained' Gd(0001) fi lms.…”