Control of the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of FePd films via Pd capping deposition

We have investigated the influence of two capping layers (MgO and Pd) on the magnetic anisotropy of highly anisotropic L10 FePd films. While we mainly found perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in MgO capped films, we observed that the Pd capping layer induces formation of an additional new phase near the FePd/Pd interface that exhibits in-plane magnetic anisotropy. The combined effect of these two anisotropies results in global canted magnetic anisotropy. Thus, our findings illustrate a mechanism to influence the magnetic anisotropy in FePd highly ordered alloys via adequate choice of capping layer materials.Peer reviewe