Core-level magnetic-circular-dichroism study of an Fe single crystal, Fe-Pt alloys, and an Fe/Pt multilayer

Abstract

We have studied the local magnetic states of a single-crystalline Fe film, annealed and as-deposited Fe-Pt alloy films, and an Fe/Pt multilayer by magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) in core-level absorption. The MCD spectra around the Fe ${\mathit{M}}_{2,3}$ edges unambiguously reveal an enhanced 3d orbital moment in the alloys and multilayer relative to that in Fe metal. MCD signals were also observed at the Pt ${\mathit{N}}_{6,7}$ and ${\mathit{O}}_2$ edges in the alloys and multilayer, showing induced magnetic moments on Pt atoms. A comparison of the MCD spectral pattern at the Pt ${\mathit{N}}_{6,7}$ edges with that at the Fe ${\mathit{M}}_{2,3}$ and Pt ${\mathit{O}}_{2,3}$ edges gives clear evidence that the induced Pt moments are aligned parallel to the Fe moments. Fine MCD features observed at the Pt ${\mathit{N}}_{6,7}$ edges indicate that the Pt 5d partial density of states just above the Fermi level is higher for the majority-spin states than for the minority-spin states. © 1996 The American Physical Society.