Photoelectron diffraction in magnetic dichroism: Surface live magnetic layers in fcc Fe/Co(001)

Abstract

We combine photoelectron diffraction and magnetic dichroism in photoemission to obtain magnetic and structural information regarding ultrathin films on an element-resolved basis. Crystallinity-induced effects in the magnetic dichroism of $2p$ core level photoelectrons present valuable structural information regarding magnetically inhomogeneous films. The location of ferromagnetic layers in structurally relaxed fcc Fe films (eight monolayers) grown at room temperature on Co/Cu(001) is found to be at the surface, with nonferromagnetic layers underneath. Tetragonally distorted fcc Fe films (one and three monolayers) are found to be entirely ferromagnetic.