Magnetic anisotropy modification in ultrathin Co(0001) film epitaxially grown on Mo(110)

Abstract: Modification of anisotropy has been studied in Mo(110)/Co(0001)/Au structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy on a monocrystalline sapphire substrate. In order to fit the experimental data, the out-of-plane anisotropy energy contribution as well as that of the uniaxial in-plane were considered. Magnetic anisotropy constants as a dependence on Co thickness were determined in the range of spin-reorientation phase transition. Observed magnetic anisotropy can be explained by the presence of strains in Co film induced by the Mo(110) buffer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]