In order to provide a structural basis for a physical understanding of exchange bias in metal/magnetic-oxide interfaces, we have determined the structure of the Fe/NiO(001) interface by means of x-ray absorption spectroscopy and ab initio density functional theory calculations. A Fe-Ni alloyed phase on top of an interfacial FeO planar layer is formed. The FeO layer exhibits a 7% expanded interlayer distance and a 0.3 angstrom buckling; its presence is predicted to increase the spin magnetic moment of the interface Fe atoms by 0.6 mu(B), compared to the ideally abrupt interface.
Iron oxidation, interfacial expansion, and buckling at the Fe/NiO(001) interface
Luches P;Bellini V;Colonna S;Manghi F;
2006
Abstract
In order to provide a structural basis for a physical understanding of exchange bias in metal/magnetic-oxide interfaces, we have determined the structure of the Fe/NiO(001) interface by means of x-ray absorption spectroscopy and ab initio density functional theory calculations. A Fe-Ni alloyed phase on top of an interfacial FeO planar layer is formed. The FeO layer exhibits a 7% expanded interlayer distance and a 0.3 angstrom buckling; its presence is predicted to increase the spin magnetic moment of the interface Fe atoms by 0.6 mu(B), compared to the ideally abrupt interface.File in questo prodotto:
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