A complex magnetic structure of ultrathin Fe films on Rh (001) surfaces

We conducted a structural and magnetic analysis of ultrathin Fe films on Rh (001) surfaces by using low electron energy diffraction (LEED), magneto-optical Kerr effects (MOKE) and spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SP-STM). The films in the investigated thickness range up to 6 monolayers (ML) are pseudomorphic to the Rh (001) substrate. While Fe films thinner than 3 ML grow layer-by-layer at room temperature (RT), Fe films thicker than 4 ML form islands. 1 ML Fe films do not show any hysteresis loops even at low temperature. Polar hysteresis loops for the 2 ML and 3 ML thick films appear at low temperatures. When 1 ML thick Fe films were studied by Cr- and Fe-coated W tips, a (2 x 3) and stripe structures were observed, respectively. The structures originate from a complex magnetic structure of 1 ML Fe. Based on the SP-STM results we propose a spin configuration model of a 1 ML Fe film. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.