Spin-Polarized Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy of Ultrathin Films

Using low temperature spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy we have studied the morphology and magnetic properties of ultrathin Fe(0.5 ML)Au(0.5 ML) nanowires prepared on a Mo(110) single crystal.The Fe nanostripes grown by step flow on a Mo(110) at 700 K were covered by Au at RT, and subsequently annealed at 700 K. Differences in the morphology of Au on Fe(110)/Mo(110) and clean Mo(110) surfaces are observed and discussed.After annealing, the Mo is covered by a homogeneous FeAu ML alloy with several iron enriched islands which reveal an out-of-plane magnetic contrast.Direct lateral exchange coupling has been observed for these islands.