MAGNETISM AT METAL-CERAMIC INTERFACES - EFFECTS OF A AU OVERLAYER ON THE MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF FE MGO(001)/

In the search for a benign magnetic substrate with which to explore 2D magnetism in transition metal monolayer, MgO(001) has emerged from st udies of the metal-ceramic interaface as a prime candidate. Since Au o verlayers are now used to prevent oxidation, we have determined their effects on the electronic and magnetic properties of Fe/MgO(001) by me ans of first principles calculations using the full potential lineariz ed augmented plane wave method. Some Fe-Au hybridization is found whic h diminishes the giant spin moment in Fe/MgO(001) by 0.14mu(B). In tur n, the Fe layer induces a sizable magnetic moment at the Au site, name ly, a 0.069mu(B) spin moment and a 0.042mu(B) orbital moment. A substa ntial magnetic circular dichroism signal is predicted for Au, which in vites experimental verification.