Local atomic structure of ultra-thin Fe films grown on Cu(100)

Ultra-thin epitaxial Fe films grown by thermal deposition on Cu(100) are analyzed by scanning tunneling microscopy. Evidence is presented that the morphological characteristics and magnetic properties are a direct consequence of FCC-to-BCC transitions reminiscent of those occurring in bulk Fe. In contrast to the assumption of a ferromagnetic FCC phase in previous models of the Fe/Cu(100) system, we observe a tightly twinned and strained BCC-like phase termed nanomartensite in films below 5 ML thickness, which encompasses almost the entire film volume of 3 ML films. In addition, the surface of 7-8 ML films reconstructs by forming non-close-packed structures with BCC-like bond angles. The formation of these BCC-like phases is the reason for the expansion of the interlayer spacing observed in these films and correlates perfectly with their ferromagnetic ordering.