Effect of Fe cap layers on the spin density waves in epitaxial Cr(001) films

We have investigated proximity effects of Fe layers on the spin density waves (SDW) and the concomitant charge density waves or strain waves in thin epitaxial Cr[001] films using synchrotron and neutron scattering. Unlike in bulk Cr we observe a strong anisotropic occupation of the three possible SDWs with their wave vectors Q pointing along the {001} directions. In a pure 3000 Angstrom thick Cr[001] film, the SDW exhibits an almost complete out-of-plane orientation, whereas in a Cr film of the same thickness capped by a 20 Angstrom Fe layer the SDW becomes completely reoriented with Q now propagating in the plane. This SDW is preserved over the entire temperature range from 10 K up to the Neel temperature of about 311 K. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.