Spin reorientation transition in Fe(110) thin films: The role of surface anisotropy

Abstract

We report on the spin reorientation phase transition in Fe(110) ultrathin films, epitaxially grown on a W(110) single crystal. The critical film thickness of the magnetic reorientation ${(t}_{\mathrm{r}})$ has been monitored by spin-resolved photoemission. Either an increase or a decrease of ${t}_{\mathrm{r}}$ can be induced by controlled modification of the surface (anisotropy) of the Fe films. ${t}_{\mathrm{r}}$ is reduced by deposition of noble metal (Ag and Au) overlayers on the Fe(110) surface. The effect is significantly more pronounced in the case of Au overlayers than Ag. In contrast, ${t}_{\mathrm{r}}$ is found to increase by small amounts of oxygen (0.25 monolayer) adsorbed on the Fe(110) surface.