Exchange anisotropy as a probe of antiferromagnetism in expanded face-centered-tetragonal Mn(001) layers

Manganese (Mn) grows coherent and with an expanded metastable face-centered-tetragonal (e-fct) structure on ultrathin fct Co(001)/Cu(001) template layers. From the temp. dependence of the obsd. unidirectional Mn/Co interface exchange anisotropy, an antiferromagnetic state with a blocking temp. around 410 K is found for a 21 monolayer thick e-fct Mn(001) film. The temp. dependent coercivity enhancement of the Co films, which is induced by the proximity of the antiferromagnetic Mn layer, suggests a Ne.acte.el temp. above 410 K for this Mn phase. [on SciFinder (R)