Origin of dead magnetic Fe overlayers on V(110) - art. no. 060404

Recent in situ polarized neutron-reflectometry and magneto-optical Kerr eff ect measurements have displayed a few magnetically dead Fe layers deposited on V(110). We have performed ab initio density-functional theory calculati ons in order to explain the a priori unexpected results. An ideal layer-by- layer growth of Fe on the V(110) surface leads to the ferromagnetic solutio n for every Fe thickness. However, if alloying is present at the interface, a strong decrease in the Fe magnetization is found. We discuss the differe nt magnetic configurations and the possible mechanisms that can produce the observed magnetically dead Fe layers.