Structure and magnetic properties of Mn-Sb multilayered films with artificial superstructure

Multilayered films are prepared by the alternate deposition of Mn and Sb in ultrahigh vacuum. On deposition, Mn atoms react with Sb atoms to form a ferromagnetic compound MnSb at the interface. The MnSb layers grow epitaxially on thick Sb layers. By utilizing this epitaxy, ultrathin (less than 10A) MnSb layers are sandwiched between thick (50A) Sb layers. The resulting superlattice films are ferromagnetic even when each MnSb layer thickness is less than 5A.