Controlling the intralayer structure of Co Pt superlattices

The effect of the surface quality of MgO (1 1 1) substrates seeded by a 3 n m thick Pt layer on the intralayer and interlayer structure of Co/Pt (1 1 1 ) superlattices was investigated. The superlattices were grown by DC magnet ron sputtering. Pre-growth processing of the MgO shows that intensive polis hing using a specific H2O/SiO2 suspension prior to growth is mandatory for obtaining long-range structural coherence in the films. The comparison betw een superlattices grown on re-polished and as-supplied substrates shows tha t the substrate treatment enhances the crystalline in-plane orientation and suppresses nhc;ach twin formation. Magnetization measurements were perform ed using the magnetooptical Kerr effect. Smaller Kerr rotation and lower co ercive fields were observed in the highly ordered samples. (C) 1999 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.