Induced V moments in Fe/V(100), (211), and (110) superlattices studied using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism

Abstract

Element-specific magnetic moments in Fe/V superlattices are studied using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). Superlattices are simultaneously deposited with the epitaxial orientations (100), (211), and (110), to explore the orientation dependence of these moments. The layer-averaged vanadium moments are antiparallel to those of the Fe and are larger than those observed in alloys with similar composition. The V moments decay monotonically and relatively slowly with distance from the Fe interface (exponential decay length: ) in qualitative agreement with recent calculations. In contrast to calculations, the magnitudes of the V moments fall on a universal curve for the three orientations.