Magnetic linear dichroism in angular-resolved Fe 3p and Fe 2p core-level photoemission for thin Fe films on graphite

Magnetic linear dichroism in angle-resolved Fe 3p and Fe 2p core-level phot oemission is used as a probe of the surface magnetism for thin Fe films wit h a range of surface morphologies. The Fe films were prepared by deposition in ultrahigh vacuum on to graphite substrates. Samples studied include an islanded him (mean diameter 100 nm), an array of "wires" (50-100-nm diamete r) and a 150-nm-thick continuous film. The effect on the dichroism asymmetr y of varying the magnitude of the magnetizing field, the film temperature a nd morphology is described. The data show an increased magnetic hardness an d reduced magnetic transition temperature with decreasing dimension of the Fe features. A magnetic transition temperature of 720 It is measured for th e islanded film while the continuous film shows essentially bulklike behavi or. The development of magnetization in the films with increasing coverage is also studied. The results of fitting Zeeman-like multiplets to both Fe 3 p and Fe 2p spectra are described.