MAGNETIC-MOMENTS IN THIN EPITAXIAL CR FILMS ON FE(100)

The absolute magnetic moments of thin Cr overlayers on Fe(100) are dir ectly determined by energy-resolved spin-polarized secondary-electron emission. Spin-dependent attenuation of low-energy secondary electrons is quantitatively treated, following a model by Siegmann, to extract magnetic depth profiles in the adlayer. The first monolayer of Cr coup les antiferromagnetically to the Fe substrate and exhibits a maximum m agnetic moment of 1.8+/-0.2 mu(B), per atom for a submonolayer coverag e. Subsequent Cr layers show a positive magnetization.