Composition-driven change of the magnetic anisotropy of ultrathin Co/Au(111) films studied by means of magnetic-force microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum

摘要: The magnetic anisotropy of ultrathin Co films on Au (111) changes with increasing film thickness in the regime 3--5 monolayers (ML). This leads to a reorientation magnetization from out-of-plane in-plane direction. We observed this transition by means magnetic-force microscopy under UHV conditions. found that approaching 4 ML average domain size shrinks about $1\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{}$ 400 nm. For thicker than we have an structure. structure was depend additionally chemical composition. just above critical for reverted due carbon contamination thin films. also could be shifted even up 18 presence carbon.