Magnetic and magneto-optical properties of ultrathin films of iron epitaxied on iridium (001)

Abstract

We have theoretically studied the structural, magnetic, and magneto-optical behaviours of Fe ultra-thin films pseudomorphically epitaxied on semi-infinite Ir(001). The magnetic film crystallizes in the body-centered tetragonal (bct) structure with a tetragonality ratio 1.21. The new crystalline structure of iron in the magnetic film enhances the magnetic properties and a correlation between the interlayer spacing and the magnetic moment is found. The calculation of the magnetic properties shows a ferromagnetic interlayer coupling. The polar magneto-optical Kerr effect (P-MOKE) spectra are calculated over a photon energy range extended to 10~eV. The microscopic origin of the most interesting features is explained from interband transitions in various regions of the Brillouin zone.PACS Nos.: 78.20.Bh, 78.20.Ls