Symmetry breaking at atomic steps of ultrathin Fe films grown on stepped Ag(001) substrates creates a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with the easy axis parallel to the step edges. The relation between this induced anisotropy and the step density is systematically investigated by magneto-optically scanning films grown on a curved substrate with a vicinal angle range between 0^∘{} and 10^∘{}. We find that (a) the uniaxial anisotropy depends quadratically on the step density, and (b) the spin-reorientation transition occurs at a larger thickness for the stepped than for the flat film.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Kawakami et al. (1996) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: