Magnetic moments in as-deposited and annealed Ni layers on Fe(001): An x-ray-dichroism study

Abstract

We have performed linear and circular x-ray-dichroism measurements at the ${\mathit{L}}_{2,3}$ edges of Ni in as-deposited and annealed layers on an Fe(001) substrate. The linear dichroism results suggest that the magnetic dipole term 〈T〉 is small in these Ni layers. Upon annealing, the intermixing of Ni and Fe causes the Ni orbital moment to increase to twice the value for bulk fcc Ni. The possible origins of this increase are discussed. Fundamental importance is attributed to the higher localization of the Ni 3d states, due to the ‘‘impurity’’ nature intrinsic to Ni atoms diluted in Fe. © 1996 The American Physical Society.