Noncollinear magnetization structure at the thickness-driven spin-reorientation transition in epitaxial Fe films on W(110)

Phys Rev Lett. 2010 Jul 9;105(2):027206. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.027206. Epub 2010 Jul 9.

Abstract

An in-plane spin-reorientation transition occurring during the growth of epitaxial Fe films on W(110) was studied in situ by using the nuclear resonant scattering of synchrotron radiation. The spin-reorientation transition originates at the Fe/W(110) interface and proceeds via a noncollinear spin structure resembling a planar domain wall that propagates towards the surface with increasing film thickness.