Thickness-Driven Spin Reorientation transition in ColPd(lll) : In Situ SMOKE Three-Dimensional Vector Magnetometry

Abstract

We have developed a three-axis configurational in situ SMOKE apparatus by which three-dimensional vector

magnetization reversal processes are studied for ultrathin Co films grown on a Pd (111) single 얀ystal in the

thickness range of spin reorientation transition. This study pro찌des a better understanding of magnetization

reversal motions with the knowledge of three components of the magnetization vector at the transition of an

easy axis of magnetization from the film normal at 5 ML Co to in-plane at 6 ML Co (ML denotes monolayer).

For a 5.25 ML Co, it was observed that a slightly canted magnetization vector from the film normal rotated in

the film plane under an applied field direction paraUel to the film normal.