A study of the different interfaces in Fe/V superlattices

Interfaces in Fe(xML)/V(yML) multilayers have been examined. Two pairs of samples each with definite x and y were prepared using the same deposition process and the same elemental variations with the 57Fe probe layers interfoliated between completed V and Fe (natural abundance) layers. The only difference was the deposition ordering. The superlattice structures were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and 57Fe Conversion Electron Mossbauer Spectroscopy at room temperature and at 10 K. The 57Fe magnetic hyperfine field distribution for the pairs is found to be significantly different, irrespectively of the values of x, and y and can be interpreted as due to the Fe layer being smoother than the V one. The magnetic moments derived for the interface layer as well as for the subsequent atomic layer are significantly lower than the calculated values.