Magnetic properties of [100] oriented Cu-Ni superlattices

We have fabricated Cu-Ni superlattices with exclusive [100] modulating orientation by using a dc magnetron sputtering system. The layer thicknesses of both Cu and Ni range from 5 to 125 Å. The high quality of the samples is confirmed by the intense satellite peaks in the x-ray diffraction. The spontaneous magnetization at 5 K, which is found to be inversely proportional to the Ni layer thickness, vanishes at two Ni atomic planes. A very large difference in magnetic surface anisotropy has been found between [100] and [111] textured Cu-Ni superlattices, displaying the important role of modulating orientation on the magnetic properties of superlattice.