Thickness dependent magnetization canting in Co on Cu (1113)

Abstract The magnetic properties of ultrathin Co films grown on Cu (1 1 13) are investigated by means of the magneto-optic Kerr effect. Applying fields within the film-plane, different ellipticities are found parallel and perpendicular to the step edges. This disparity of the magneto-optical signals in the two perpendicular directions results from a canting of the magnetization that causes a mixing of longitudinal and polar Kerr effect. The canting angle of the magnetization with respect to the surface-plane is calculated. The dependence of the magnetization canting on film thickness is studied systematically.