Field-induced metastable states in ultrathin films of fcc Fe/Cu(100)

Abstract

The thickness dependence of both the perpendicular and in-plane magnetization is observed for pseudomorphic ultrathin, fcc Fe epitaxial films grown on room temperature Cu(100). Ferromagnetically ordered 3.5-monolayer-thick films display both in-plane and perpendicular remanence. Perpendicular remanence, lost after a 9.0 kOe static field is applied perpendicular to the film plane, can be restored by either heating or applying large in-plane fields. These field-induced metastable states are interpreted in terms of magnetoelastic effects which modify the exchange and anisotropy constants both perpendicular to and within the film plane.

The MIDAS project at ASU: John Cowley's vision and practical results

“…For f.c.c (f.c.t) Fe, a non-magnetic, high and low spin, or an anti-ferromagnetic phase can be stable depending upon the lattice constant [51]. Our Fe/Cu(100) studies, both on and off MIDAS, lasted nearly 3 years, resulting in the theses of Kevin Heim [52], Zhijun Yang [53] and many papers [54][55][56][57][58][59], with the participation of Masters student Sean Healy. A set of hysteresis loops taken with the SMOKE system is shown in Figure 9.…”