FERROMAGNETIC MONOLAYERS

The ferromagnetic properties of ultrathin films grown on non-magnetic substrates provide interesting new insights into the physics of magnetism. In this report we review experiments in the very low coverage regime (- < 2 atomic layers). The Fe monolayer on W plays an outstanding role, because it forms a ferromagnetic and thermodynamically stable monolayer. Ferromagnetic Fe monolayers on W can be prepared with a high degree of perfection. We therefore focus on ultrathin Fe films on W(110) and W(100) substrates. Experimental results for these in-plane magnetized films, prepared as close as possible to a-dimensional structures of perfect translational symmetry, are compared with appropriate theoretical models. We also discuss experimental results for the perpendicularly magnetized Co monolayer on Cu(111). The symmetry of the magnetic anisotropy is found to play an important role for the understanding of the magnetic phase transition in 2 dimensions. A new aspect is provided by finite size effects resulting from the morphology of magnetic ultrathin films. Microscopy with atomic resolution allows a systematic approach to the understanding of these finite size effects. Starting from the well-known magnetic properties of the extended Fe monolayer on W(110), we focus on ultrathin Fe films on W(110) deviating from the nearly perfect structure.