Effect of interface on magnetic anisotropy of Fe/Tb multilayers: Mossbauer effect study

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of Fe/Tb multilayers was investigated using Mossbauer effect spectroscopy. Twenty-four multilayered Fe/Tb samples were prepared by planar magnetron sputtering. Results of Mossbauer effect measurements show that Fe/Tb multilayers display perpendicular magnetic anisotropy if the Tb layer thickness is less than 12 Angstrom, and display in-plane anisotropy if the Tb layer thickness is more than 12 Angstrom. Results indicate that the interface between Tb and Fe layers is the cause of the perpendicular anisotropy. Results also suggest that this perpendicular anisotropy is not induced due to the growth processes or the stress at the interface between the sample and the substrate. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.