Submonolayers of adsorbates on stepped Co/Cu(100): Switching of the easy axis

W. Weber; C. H. Back; U. Ramsperger; A. Vaterlaus; R. Allenspach

doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.52.R14400

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Submonolayers of adsorbates on stepped Co/Cu(100): Switching of the easy axis

W. Weber, C. H. Back, U. Ramsperger, A. Vaterlaus, and R. Allenspach

Phys. Rev. B 52, R14400(R) – Published 15 November 1995

Abstract

We report a striking sensitivity of the easy magnetization axis in epitaxial Co films upon adsorption of submonolayers of Cu, Ag, Fe, and O if the Cu substrate is a stepped surface slightly miscut from the (100) orientation. All adsorbates cause a switch of the easy axis by 90° within the plane. The key role of this switching phenomenon is played by the atoms at the step sites and their influence on the magnetic surface anisotropy.