From Termination Dependent Chemical Sensitivity of Spin Orientation in All-bcc Fe/Co Magnetic Superlattices toward the Concept of an Artificial Surface of a Ferromagnet

Adsorption of gases on the surface of all-bcc (Fe/Co)(N) superlattices drives the in-plane, 90 degrees magnetization rotation of the bulk-like Fe(110) supporting ferromagnet. Both experimental and theoretical results prove that terminating the surface of (Fe/Co) N superlattices either by Co or by Fe switches ON or OFF the spin orientation sensitivity to adsorption. Results indicate that purely surface limited adsorption processes strongly modify the magnetic anisotropy of the entire (Fe/Co)(N) superlattice, which acts as a kind of artificial surface of the bulky Fe(110) ferromagnet. Such an artificial magnetic surface anisotropy concept not only enhances the surface contribution in classical surface-bulk competition but also provides its additional chemical sensitivity.

Automated summary

Gas adsorption on the surface of (Fe/Co)(N) superlattices drives the rotation of magnetization angle in Fe(110) ferromagnet. The sensitivity of spin orientation to adsorption can be controlled by terminating the surface with Co or Fe. The purely surface-limited adsorption process alters the magnetic anisotropy of the entire superlattice, making it an artificial surface.