Spectroscopic Identification and Direct Imaging of Interfacial Magnetic Spins

H. Ohldag; T. J. Regan; J. Stöhr; A. Scholl; F. Nolting; J. Lüning; C. Stamm; S. Anders; R. L. White

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.247201

Featured in Physics

Spectroscopic Identification and Direct Imaging of Interfacial Magnetic Spins

H. Ohldag, T. J. Regan, J. Stöhr, A. Scholl, F. Nolting, J. Lüning, C. Stamm, S. Anders, and R. L. White

Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 247201 – Published 27 November 2001

Abstract

Using x-ray absorption spectromicroscopy we have imaged the uncompensated spins induced at the surface of antiferromagnetic (AFM) NiO(100) by deposition of ferromagnetic (FM) Co. These spins align parallel to the AFM spins in NiO(100) and align the FM spins in Co. The uncompensated interfacial spins arise from an ultrathin ${CoNiO}_{x}$ layer that is formed upon Co deposition through reduction of the NiO surface. The interfacial Ni spins are discussed in terms of the “uncompensated spins” at AFM/FM interfaces long held responsible for coercivity increases and exchange bias. We find a direct correlation between their number and the size of the coercivity.

Received 26 June 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.247201

Authors & Affiliations

H. Ohldag^1,2,5, T. J. Regan³, J. Stöhr¹, A. Scholl², F. Nolting^1,2, J. Lüning¹, C. Stamm¹, S. Anders², and R. L. White⁴

¹Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, P.O. Box 20450 Stanford, California 94309
²Advanced Light Source, 1 Cyclotron Road, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720
³Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
⁴Materials Science and Engineering Department, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
⁵Institut für Angewandte Physik, Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany

Uncovering a New Layer

Tim Palucka

Phys. Rev. Focus 8, 31 (2001)

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Issue

Vol. 87, Iss. 24 — 10 December 2001

Reuse & Permissions

Access Options

Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Physical Review Letters