Geometrical and compositional structure at metal-oxide interfaces: MgO on Fe(001) - art. no. 076102

Authors
Meyerheim, HL Popescu, R Kirschner, J Jedrecy, N Sauvage-Simkin, M Heinrich, B Pinchaux, R
Citation
Hl. Meyerheim et al., Geometrical and compositional structure at metal-oxide interfaces: MgO on Fe(001) - art. no. 076102, PHYS REV L, 8707(7), 2001, pp. 6102
Citations number
27
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
ISSN journal
00319007 → ACNP
Volume
8707
Issue
7
Year of publication
2001
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-9007(20010813)8707:7<6102:GACSAM>2.0.ZU;2-P
Abstract
The geometric structure of MgO deposited on Fe(001) in ultrahigh vacuum by electron evaporation was determined in detail by using surface x-ray diffra ction. In contrast to the common belief that MgO grows in direct contact on the Fe(OO I) substrate, we find an FeO interface layer between the substra te and the growing MgO structure which has not been considered thus far. Th is result opens new perspectives for the understanding of the Fe/MgO/Fe(001 ) interface and the tunneling magnetoresistance effect in general.