The structure and magnetic properties of the rf-sputtered Fe/Ti multilayers with the fixed Ti-layer
thicknesses (series 1: tTi=1 nm and series 2: tTi=2nm) and the variable Fe-layer thicknesses (1 nm??tFe??6
nm) have been studied by the high-angle x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, conversion
electron M??ssbauer spectrometry and vibrating sample magnetometer. The results show that Fe layers with
thicknesses less than 1 nm are alloyed forming an amorphous TiFe2 phase. As the Fe-layer thickness
increases, the iron-rich crystalline Fe-Ti alloy is formed at the interface and, finally, the pure crystalline ?-Fe
and Ti layers appear in the center of the individual subsystems. The spin orientation in Fe layers is then
strongly aligned in the film plane. However, in the interfacial region, perpendicular spin orientation is
evidenced. This perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is associated to the Fe-rich alloy at the interface and is
discussed in terms of reduced symmetry effects on the band structure of the 3d(Fe)-itinerant electrons. ??
1998 American Institute of Physics.
