Spin polarised quantum-well states in layered magnetic nanostructures of Cu/Co/Cu(100)
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Date
2004-02-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Institute of Physics
Abstract
The unoccupied electronic structures of bilayer Co/Cu(100) and trilayer Cu/Co/Cu(100) structures have been investigated by spin-resolved inverse photoemission. For the first time, the spin-polarised unoccupied quantum-well states have been observed for both systems. The exchange splitting of the quantum-well states and the bulk-like sp band of Co (100) have been determined. A simple phase accumulation model simulated the electron confinement in the ultra-thin Co(100) film very well. The offset between the Co and Cu X4’ point provides the confinement potential for electrons in the Co film. For the sandwich structure of Cu/Co/Cu(100), in addition to the spin-polarised quantum-well states, surface states and a surface resonant state at the copper/vacuum interface, and bulk-like minority d contributions from the underlying ferromagnetic Co layer have also been identified. The quantum-well states are shown to develop into a surface resonant state as a function of the electron momentum, as evidenced by the loss of the exchange splitting. The quantum-well states in Cu/Co structure are formed by resonance due to high reflectivity, because there is no absolute
confinement potential for this structure. The experiment has shown that the spin resolution provides a possible access to the penetration depth of the wave function of the surface state and surface resonant state.
Description
Keywords
Spin, Quantum wells, Nanostructures, Ferromagnetism, Copper, Cobalt
Citation
Yu, D. J. & Donath. M. (2004). Spin polarised quantum-well states in layered magnetic nanostructures of Cu/Co/Cu(100). Paper presented to the 28th Annual Condensed Matter and Materials Meeting, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, 3-6 February 2004. Retrieved from: https://www.physics.org.au/wp-content/uploads/cmm/2004/04handbook.pdf