Interface structure and magnetic anisotropy of a Co/Pt multilayer

Abstract

A Co/Pt multilayer with strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy was prepared by electron beam evaporation. Using polarized extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements at the Co K edge, the interface structure of the Co/Pt multilayer was investigated. In quantitative analysis, the EXAFS data measured with in-plane polarization showed considerable intermixing at the Co/Pt interfaces, while those measured with out-of-plane polarization indicated an abrupt interface structure. More detailed atomic configurations of the Co/Pt interface were simulated using the measured coordination numbers. The results of the computer simulation showed that the Pt clusters in Co layers and the Co clusters in Pt layers were interfacing. With the obtained structural information and a symmetry-based Neel model, the magnetic anisotropy of the multilayer was estimated. The estimated magnetic anisotropy was consistent with the measured one. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(00)01009-4].