X-ray scattering and absorption studies of epitaxial strains in Co-Au superlattices

Abstract

X-ray scattering and EXAFS are used to probe epitaxial strain in Co-Au superlattices grown by molecular beam epitaxy. We observe a thickness-dependent strain in ultrathin cobalt layers and find that tensile strains near misfit dislocations may be larger than in the more coherent interior of the Co layers. A strong enhancement of the magnetic absorption spectrum is observed in the superlattice samples.