Chemical and magnetization profile study of Ce in [CeLaCe/Fe] and [LaCeLa/Fe] multilayers by resonant X-ray reflectivity

The distribution of the induced 5d magnetic moments across the Ce layers in [CeLaCe/Fe](57) and [LaCeLa/Fe](57) multilayers has been investigated by r esonant X-ray magnetic reflectivity. The quantitative analysis of the energ y dependence of the asymmetry ratios measured on top of several multilayer Bragg peaks required the determination of the composition profile across th e period of the multilayer. In order to separate out the structural paramet ers of the Ce and La layers, resonant X-ray reflectivity measurements were carried out at the La and Ce L-edges as well as at the Fe K-edge. The induc ed Ce 5d magnetic profile which is derived from the XRMS spectra is found t o oscillate in both samples, with however, a different depth dependence pro bably related to the influence of the different interfaces. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.