Thickness- and temperature-dependent spin anisotropy of ultrathin epitaxial Fe films on Ag(100)

Abstract

Magneto-optical tecniques have been used to study the thickness- and temperature-dependent spin anisotropy of ultrathin epitaxial Fe films grown on Ag(100) substrates. Films having a thickness of one and two monolayers exhibit preferred spin orientation perpendicular to the surface and a temperature-dependent coercive force. Thicker films exhibit in-plane spin orientation, layer-dependent coercive forces, and evidence of layer-dependent in-plane spin anisotropy.