Electronic, magnetic, and physical structure of cobalt deposited on aluminum tris(8-hydroxy quinoline)

Abstract

X-ray and ultraviolet photoemission of Co deposited onto aluminum tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) (Alq3) is investigated in situ. The initial Co deposited onto Alq3 reacts to form a complex. After 1 nm of Co is deposited core level and valence band spectra show evidence for the formation of metallic cobalt. After 2 nm of Co is deposited onto Alq3 x-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectra reveals the Co is ferromagnetic at 300 K. Transmission electron microscopy images show an abrupt interface between Co and Alq3 with minimal intermixing. These results provide valuable insight into the electronic, magnetic, and physical structure of the Co/Alq3 interface.