Reorientation of Spin Density Waves in Cr(001) Films induced by Fe(001) Cap Layers
Proximity effects of 20 Åthin Fe layers on the spin density waves (SDWs) in epitaxial Cr(001) films are revealed by neutron scattering. Unlike in bulk Cr we observe a SDW with its wave vector Q pointing along only one {100} direction which depends dramatically on the film thickness t_{Cr}. For t_{Cr} < 250 Åthe SDW propagates out-of-plane with the spins in the film plane. For t_{Cr} > 1000 Åthe SDW propagates in the film plane with the spins out-of-plane perpendicular to the in-plane Fe moments. This reorientation transition is explained by frustration effects in the antiferromagnetic interaction between Fe and Cr across the Fe/Cr interface due to steps at the interface.
cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗