ANNEALING EFFECT ON MORPHOLOGY AND MAGNETISM OF ULTRATHIN FILMS OF FEAND NI ON CU(100)

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and the magneto-optical Kerr effec t(MOKE) have been used to investigate the effects of annealing on the morphology and magnetism of Fe and Ni films on Cu(100). Relatively mil d annealing (490 K) created pinholes in the Fe/Cu(100) films, opening channels for the surface diffusion of copper to the top of the film su rface along the walls of the pinholes. The magnetization of the Fe fil ms is strongly affected by anneaIing. Annealing smooths the surface of Ni/Cu(100) films significantly, but no interdiffusion was observed up on annealing below 500 K. For Ni films thicker than 7 ML, the magnetiz ation remains perpendicular after annealing, with only a slight reduct ion in its amplitude.