Search for multi-atom resonant photoemission in magnetic thin films RID C-4732-2008 RID E-5042-2010

In order to test the presence of interatomic multi-atom resonant photoemission (MARPE) in 3d magnetic ultrathin films, 2p photoelectron emission of various ferromagnetic 3d metals was studied while the excitation energy was tuned around the L-2.3 core level absorption edge of a different 3d metal. Both elements were in direct contact either as bilayer or as alloys to maximize this possible effect. Systems under study were Fe/Co, Fe/Ni, Fe30Ni70, Co, Co90Mn10, and Ni90Mn10, all grown as epitaxial films on Cu(001). No measurable change in intensity of the 2p photoemission intensities in normal emission for 45 incidence of more than 2.5-5% was found as a result of resonant excitation of neighboring atoms in any of these systems. We can thus exclude the presence of significant MARPE in these metallic systems in the present experimental geometry. This is further confirmed by the photon energy dependence of the linear magnetic dichroism in the Fe 2p photoemission of a Fe/Co film, which is not influenced by Co L-2.3, edge resonant absorption