Magnetic anisotropy modification in ultrathin Co(0 0 0 1) film epitaxially grown on Mo(1 1 0)

Abstract

Modification of anisotropy has been studied in Mo(1 1 0)/Co(0 0 0 1)/Au structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy on a monocrystalline sapphire substrate. In order to fit the experimental data, the out-of-plane anisotropy energy contribution as well as that of the uniaxial in-plane were considered. Magnetic anisotropy constants as a dependence on Co thickness were determined in the range of spin-reorientation phase transition. Observed magnetic anisotropy can be explained by the presence of strains in Co film induced by the Mo(1 1 0) buffer.