Magnetic anisotropy engineering in in-plane magnetized ultrathin ferromagnetic films. (invited)

A study was conducted to analyze the impact of depositing submonolayer quantities of copper onto the carbon monoxide-exposed Co/Cu(110) system using the magneto-optic Kerr effect. The copper overlayers reversed the in-plane 90 degree easy axis switch caused by the carbon monoxide adsorption. Experimental results indicated the stabilization of ferromagnetic order by magnetic anisotropy in an ultrathin magnetic film.