Magnetic and structural properties of the Fe layers in CoO/Fe/Ag(001) Heterostructure

The influence of interfacial oxidation on the magnetic behaviour of CoO covered Fe/Ag(001) is reported. Coverage with CoO causes the formation of a mixed Fe2O3-Fe3O4 interfacial oxide layer. The depth of the Fe-oxide varies with the thickness of pre-covered Fe and above 8 monolayers (MLs) of Fe the oxide depth becomes constant at 2 ML. Differences in exchange bias and coercivity obtained from magnetic field and zero field cooling nearly vanish above 8 ML Fe thickness, showing a direct correlation between the magnetic behaviour of Fe and structure of the interfacial Fe-oxide layer.

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