Magnetic phases of thin Fe films grown on stepped Cr(001)

Magnetic phases of Fe films grown on curved Cr(001) with steps parallel to [100] are studied using the surface magneto-optic Ken: effect (SMOKE). We f ound that the atomic steps (1) induce an in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotr opy with the easy magnetization axis parallel to the step edges, and (2) ge nerate magnetic frustration either inside the Fe film or at the Fe-Cr inter face, depending pn the Fe film thickness and the vicinal angle. For thickne ss greater than 35 Angstrom, the Fe him forms a single magnetic domain and undergoes an in-plane magnetization switching due to the competition of the step-induced anisotropy and the Fe-Cr interfacial frustration. For thickne ss less than 35 Angstrom, the Fe film forms multiple magnetic domains at lo w vicinal angle, and transforms into a single domain at high vicinal angle. A magnetic phase diagram in the 30-45 Angstrom thickness range was obtaine d using a wedge-shaped Fe film. [S0163-1829(99)02918-5].