IUVSTA 15th International Vacuum Congress (IVC-15), AVS 48th International Symposium (AVS-48), 11th International Conference on Solid Surfaces (ICSS-11)
    Magnetic Interfaces and Nanostructures Monday Sessions
       Session MI+NS-MoA

Paper MI+NS-MoA1
Preparation and Magnetic Studies of Mass-Selcted Iron Clusters

Monday, October 29, 2001, 2:00 pm, Room 110

Session: Nano Magnetics
Presenter: V. Senz, Universitaet Rostock, Germany
Authors: V. Senz, Universitaet Rostock, Germany
R.-P. Methling, Universitaet Rostock, Germany
A. Kleibert, Universitaet Rostock, Germany
J. Bansmann, Universitaet Rostock, Germany
K.E.H. Meiwes-Broer, Universitaet Rostock, Germany
Correspondent: Click to Email
We have investigated the magnetic properties of mass-selected iron clusters using the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) in the visible and soft x-ray energy range. Using a continuously working cluster source (Arc Cluster Ion source - ACIS) we codeposited mass-selected iron clusters into a matrix of evaporated silver atoms on a silicon substrate. The source is based on cathodic arc erosion in inert gas environment and supersonic expansion. Its intensity and stability allows an enhanced mass-separation which is achieved by means of an electrostatic quadrupole deflector. Magnetization curves were measured for cluster sizes of 8.1nm and 11.7nm. The hysteresis curves reveal the transition from the ferromagnetic to the superparamagnetic state in dependence on the cluster size and temperature. Recently, element-specific reflectivity measurements have been carried out in the energy range of the Fe 2p core levels using linearly polarized light (X-MOKE). The observed MOKE effect at the 2p levels is much larger than the respective value at the Fe 3d valence band due to the enhanced spin-orbit interaction.