Element-specific magnetic moments in bcc Fe81Ni19/Co superlattices -: art. no. 134409

The magnetic moments in bcc Fe81Ni19/Co(001) superlattices with the individual layer thickness of 2-6 monolayers were studied by means of soft x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. It was found that the magnetic moment was enhanced in the Fe81Ni19 layer by about 0.35 mu(B)/atom as compared to the bulk value, while the Co moment remained unaffected by the presence of interfaces. The extension of the region with the high Fe81Ni19 moment in our samples was found to be at least 3 monolayers from the interfaces. Possible sources of the Fe81Ni19 moment enhancement were considered in ab initio calculations, and it was concluded that the enhanced moment may be explained by intermixing and formation of a B2-type short-range order at the interfaces.