Spin reorientation transition of Fe/FeCo/Cu(001) and Fe/FeCo/Co/Cu(001)

Abstract Using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method, we have investigated the effect of Fe adlayer and Co underlayer on the magnetic properties of Fe/FeCo/Cu(001) and Fe/FeCo/Co/Cu(001) systems. It is found that the magnetic layers display close to half metallic state and this is independent on Fe adlayer thickness or Co underlayer. The pure FeCo/Cu(001) has an in-plane magnetic anisotropy and the Co underlayer induces a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Besides, the spin reorientation transition is realized with increasing Fe adlayer thickness. Both Fe/FeCo/Cu(001) and Fe/FeCo/Co/Cu(001) systems manifest similar behavior although the strength of anisotropy energy is different. This result indicates that the Fe adlayer plays an important role for the magnetic anisotropy because the direction of magnetization is almost independent on the presence of Co underlayer, while the Co underlayer affects the magnitude of magnetic anisotropy energy.