STRUCTURAL AND MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF THE TI FE MULTILAYERS/

The structure and magnetic properties of the rf-sputtered Fe/Ti multil ayers with the fixed Ti-layer thicknesses (series 1: t(Ti)=1 nm and se ries 2: t(Ti)=2 nm) and the variable Fe-layer thicknesses (1 nm less t han or equal to t(Fe)less than or equal to 6 nm) have been studied by the high-angle x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, co nversion electron Mossbauer spectrometry and vibrating sample magnetom eter. The results show that Fe layers with thicknesses less than 1 nm are alloyed forming an amorphous TiFe2 phase. As the Fe-layer thicknes s increases, the iron-rich crystalline Fe-Ti alloy is formed at the in terface and, finally, the pure crystalline alpha-Fe and Ti layers appe ar in the center of the individual subsystems. The spin orientation in Fe layers is then strongly aligned in the film plane. However, in the interfacial region, perpendicular spin,orientation is evidenced. This perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is associated to the Fe-rich alloy at the interface and is discussed in terms of reduced symmetry effects on the band structure of the 3d(Fe)-itinerant electrons. (C) 1998 Ame rican Institute of Physics.