CR MAGNETIC-MOMENTS IN FE-CR LAYERED STRUCTURES

We have investigated the thickness dependence of the Cr magnetic momen t in Fe-Cr layered structures by magnetic linear dichroism in core lev el photoemission. For thin Cr overlayers on Fe, the Cr moment is oppos ite to that of Fe. The dichroic signal decreases with the thickness of the deposited Cr layer, showing a decrease of the overall magnetic mo ment in the Cr layer. In an experiment on an Fe/Cr/Fe sandwich, for wh ich there is antiferromagnetic coupling between the two Fe layers, we find a moment on the Cr Layer close to the top Fe layer which is in th e plane of the sandwich, but perpendicular to the Fe moment. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.