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Depth-dependent magnetism in epitaxial MnSb thin films: effects of surface passivation and cleaning.
J Phys Condens Matter
; 24(14): 146002, 2012 Apr 11.
Artículo
en Inglés
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22418020
RESUMEN
Depth-dependent magnetism in MnSb(0001) epitaxial films has been studied by combining experimental methods with different surface specificities: polarized neutron reflectivity, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), x-ray resonant magnetic scattering and spin-polarized low energy electron microscopy (SPLEEM). A native oxide â¼4.5 nm thick covers air-exposed samples which increases the film's coercivity. HCl etching efficiently removes this oxide and in situ surface treatment of etched samples enables surface magnetic contrast to be observed in SPLEEM. A thin Sb capping layer prevents oxidation and preserves ferromagnetism throughout the MnSb film. The interpretation of Mn L(3,2) edge XMCD data is discussed.