Modification of structural and magnetic properties for Fe∕Cu(001) by Cr adsorbates

We have found that the structural and magnetic properties of perpendicularly magnetized Fe film grown on a Cu(001) substrate are drastically changed by Cr adsorption. The correlation between the structure and magnetism is investigated by a combined study of low-energy electron diffraction and an x-ray magnetic circular dichroism in core-level absorption spectra. The film structures show three different phases depending on the Cr amount. The Cr deposition on the Fe films leads to a reduction of Curie temperature, critical exponent β, and the magnetization of Fe. It has been clarified that the structural and magnetic properties of Fe film are modified by slight Cr adsorbates and those properties closely correlate with each other.