Growth and magnetic properties of epitaxial ultrathin Ni fims on Cu(111) using Sb as a surfactan

The growth and magnetism of ultrathin Ni films on the (111) surface of Cu using Sb as a surfactant, in order to stimulate a layer-by-layer (LBL) growth mode, are analyzed. The results indicate that the inverse spin reorientation transition (SRT) of Ni on Cu(111) occurs at a thickness of 7-8 ML and it is also seen that Sb improves the LBL growth in this system.