Direct spectroscopic identification of the magnetic structure of the interface of Mn3O4/Fe3O4 superlattices

Abstract In this study, Fe and Mn L 2,3 -edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) are performed on a series of Mn 3 O 4 /Fe 3 O 4 superlattices with various layer thicknesses to investigate the effect of the interface on the magnetic properties of the superlattices. XAS and XMCD spectral analyses indicate the presence of antiparallel interlayer magnetic coupling between the layers of Fe 3 O 4 and Mn 3 O 4 , which are both ferrimagnetic, in the Mn 3 O 4 /Fe 3 O 4 superlattices. Results suggest that interlayer magnetic coupling between the Mn 3 O 4 and Fe 3 O 4 layers in the superlattice is affected by the magnetic property of the interface region. The magnetic response of the superlattices is dominated by Fe 3 O 4 at high Fe 3 O 4 layer thicknesses and by the interface as the thickness declines. Findings reveal the formation of an interface that is likely composed of MnFe 2 O 4 . The interface critically influences the magnetic properties of the Mn 3 O 4 /Fe 3 O 4 superlattices.