Magneto-optic superlattice thin films: Fabrication, structural and magnetic characterization
During this quarter studies were extended to determine the electronic contribution to the perpendicular interface anisotropy in Co-based multilayers. Using in situ Kerr effect measurements, the influences of different transition metals (TM = Ag, Au, Cu, and Pd) on the magnetic properties of single-crystal Co films grown on Pd (111) and Au (111) surfaces are investigated. Last quarter the discovery of a large peak in the perpendicular anisotropy when approximately one monolayer of Cu or Ag is deposited on the Co surface was reported. We now have added a computer-controlled stepper-motor drive to our MBE sample transfer mechanism. The motor allows us to move the sample at a constant velocity from behind a shutter during deposition. The film, therefore, is deposited as a wedge with a linear variation of thickness across the substrate. In this way, a continuous range of coverage on a single sample is studied. The stepper motor also provides the necessary control for precisely positioning the sample in the laser beam for Kerr effect measurements at the different coverages.