Search results for "Dead layer"

Interface magnetization of ultrathin epitaxial Co2FeSi(110)/Al2O3films

2007

Element-specific magnetic properties of ultrathin epitaxial Co2FeSi(110) films were measured using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). The epitaxial Heusler films were grown by RF magnetron sputtering on substrates. The magnetization of thicker films as determined by XMCD is smaller than expected for a half-metallic material. In addition, the magnetization decreases considerably for films thinner than 10 nm. The thickness dependence of the magnetic moment can be described by introducing a certain number of dead layers representing a deficiency of magnetization at the interfaces. Quantitative evaluation results in a dead layer thickness of 0.8 nm at room temperature, consisting of a te…