Magnetic properties of Fe/AlOx /GaAs(001) structures.

Authors :: Vaz, C. A. F.
Ionescu, A.
Trypiniotis, T.
Bland, J. A. C.
Dalgliesh, R. M.
Langridge, S.
Source :: Journal of Applied Physics; 5/15/2005, Vol. 97 Issue 10, p10J119-1-10J119-3, 3p, 1 Black and White Photograph, 1 Diagram, 1 Chart, 1 Graph
Publication Year :: 2005
Abstract: We report results on the effect of the AlO<subscript>x</subscript> barrier layer on the magnetic moment of Fe using polarized neutron reflection. The sample has nominal composition 25 nm Au/5 nm Fe/ 1.3 nm AlO<subscript>x</subscript> /GaAs(001). The metal deposition was done in ultrahigh vacuum and the Al oxidation was performed in two steps. From the fit to the neutron data we obtain for the magnetic moment of Fe the value (2.164±0.026)<subscript>μB</subscript>, very close to the bulk value (2.185<subscript>μB</subscript> at room temperature). We conclude that there is no dead layer at the AlO<subscript>x</subscript> interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]