Strain Related Effects on the Structure and Magnetic and Magneto-Optical Properties of Epitaxial MnxPt1-xThin Films

Abstract

Abstract:Thin epitaxial and polycrystalline MnzPtl-z films with 0 ::; x ::; 0.38 were prepared by molecular beam epitaxy on (001) SrTi0 3 substrates. RHEED patterns confirm the epitaxial growth of the epilayers on the monocrystalline substrate. X-ray diffraction measurements reveal an anomalous structural strain-induced phase transition from the AuCus to the AuCu structure. The Curie temperature of strained epilayers is enhanced compared to polycrystalline films, while the magnetization is reduced. Magnetization curves for epitaxial films of (001) and (111) orientations are shown. Magneto-optical spectra of (001) oriented MnPts films show a remarkably large Kerr rotation of -0.821> at 1.1 eV.