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Abstract
Ultrathin Co layers grown on Ru(0001) form a unique structure, which shows a variety of spin reorientation transitions linked to the completion of atomic layers. The close relation between atomic layer completion and magnetic anisotropy is maintained when Co is covered by thin noble metal films. Here we explore the effect of different metal cappings with unfilled d shell based on fully relativistic calculations within the Screened Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (SKKR) method. The complex interplay of electronic and surface contributions is determined by means of a layer-resolved analysis, which allows us to predict the conditions leading to perpendicular magnetization for ultrathin Co films.
Acknowledgements
Financial support was provided by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (Projects MAT2006-05122, HU-2006-0014, HH-2006-0027) and the Hungarian National Scientific Research Foundation (contracts no. OTKA T068312, F68726 and NF061726).