Magnetic properties of Co/Rh (001) multilayers studied by x-ray magnetic-circular dichroism

The layer-averaged magnetic moments of Co and Rh have been measured in sputter deposited Co/Rh (001) multilayer thin films using the x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. The Rh moments were measured at both the L and M absorption edges, where we find that the Rh moment decreases as a function of increasing Rh layer thickness (t(Rh)) The decline of the layer-averaged Rh moment is well described in terms of a simple dilution, implying that the Rh moment is confined to the interfacial region. We find that the Co moment remains largely unaffected, maintaining a bulklike value of 1.7 mu(B) in the region preceding the first antiferromagnetic coupling peak where t(Rh), ranges from 0 to 4 Angstrom. We also find, via application of the dichroism sum rules, that the ratio [L-z]/[S-z] for Co increases approximate to 10% for this same region. Finally, we contrast the magnetic behavior of the Co/Rh (001) and Fe/Rh (001) multilayer systems. [S0163-1829(98)07641-3].