In situ vectorial magnetization reversal study of ultrathin Co films on Pd (111) using magneto-optical Kerr effects

Abstract

We have investigated magnetization reversal of ultrathin Co/Pd (111) films via in situ determination of three-dimensional magnetization orientations using magneto-optical Kerr effects of p and s waves. We find that with increasing the Co thickness the easy axis of magnetization is switching from normal-to-plane to in-plane through a stable canted phase and magnetization reversal under an applied magnetic field shows very contrastive behavior depending on the easy axis of magnetization. In particular, magnetization reversal via spiral motion is observed in the Co film of the canted phase which could be explained by an existence of in-plane anisotropy and an applied field slightly tilted from the film normal. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.