Magnetic anisotropy in low-dimensional ferromagnetic systems: Fe monolayers on Ag(001), Au(001), and Pd(001) substrates

Abstract

A second-variation full-potential linear augmented-plane-wave total-energy method for thin-film ferromagnetic systems is used to study the spin-orbit-interaction contribution to the magnetic anisotropy. For a free-standing Fe monolayer, the spin magnetization is determined to lie in the plane. Results for Fe monolayers on Au(001), Ag(001), and Pd(001) substrates indicate a preference for the spin direction to be perpendicular to the plane of the film. Computational details for this magnetic anisotropy are also discussed.