Spin reorientation transition and magnetic domain structure of Co ultrathin films grown on a faceted Au(455) surface

The spin reorientation transition (SRT) and magnetic domain structure of Co ultrathin films on faceted Au(455) surfaces have been investigated as a function of thickness by using magneto-optic Kerr effect and x-ray photoemission electron microscopy in combination with x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. The magnetization easy axis of the Co films is found to rotate from an out-of-plane to an in-plane orientation perpendicular to the atomic steps of the substrate due to the dominant contribution of the step-induced magnetic anisotropy. Moreover, magnetic stripe domains are observed to replicate the underlying periodic facets of the Au surface. Depending on the facet, the SRT occurs at a well-defined critical thickness and proceeds via a different mechanism: a state of uniform canted magnetization is formed for (233) facets, while the SRT involves continuous magnetization rotation followed by the nucleation of small in-plane magnetic domains for (677) facets.