Unconventional magnetisation texture in graphene/cobalt hybrids

• DOI: 10.1038/srep24783
• Publication Date: 2016-04-26T09:33:41Z
• Authors: A. D. Vu; J. Coraux; G. Chen; A. T. N’Diaye; A. K. Schmid; N. Rougemaille
• Keywords: Magnetism; Texture (cosmology)

Abstract Magnetic domain structure and spin-dependent reflectivity measurements on cobalt thin films intercalated at the graphene/Ir(111) interface are investigated using spin-polarised low-energy electron microscopy. We find that graphene-covered have surprising magnetic properties. Vectorial imaging of domains reveals an unusually gradual thickness-dependent spin reorientation transition, in which magnetisation rotates from out-of-the-film plane to in-plane direction by less than 10° per monolayer. During this a meandering texture, characterised complex, three-dimensional, wavy pattern. In addition, spectroscopy suggest electronic band unoccupied states is essentially spin-independent already few electron-Volts above vacuum level. These properties strikingly differ those pristine could open new prospects surface magnetism.