Temperature dependent magnetic domain structure in ultrathin Fe films on Cr(100)

Magnetic microscopy is used to study the temperature dependent magnetizatio n structures in 2 nm Fe films on Cr(100). Above the Cr Neel temperature, th e Fe films can be magnetized into a single domain state. When the films are cooled below the Neel temperature the Fe magnetization has a tendency to t urn perpendicular (in-plane) resulting in a spatially varying magnetization direction. The resulting magnetization structures are highly reproducible. The tendency of the Fe magnetization to rotate is attributed to frustratio n due to atomic steps. It is suggested that the local angle of magnetizatio n rotation reflects the average step density. (C) 2000 American Institute o f Physics. [S0021-8979(00)65608-6].