| In this dissertation, we present our experimental investigation on the properties of epitaxially grown magnetic nanostructures. Magnetic thin films were deposited on metallic substrates using molecular beam epitaxy in an ultra high vacuum chamber. The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of the magnetic thin films were measured with various measurement methods. The theoretical background of magnetic thin films and the descriptions of the measurement techniques, as well as the details of the experimental setup from sample growth to sample characterization will be explained. The main part of the dissertation will focus on the experimental results and the physical interpretation of three distinct topics on magnetic thin films.;First, the properties of a single ferromagnetic film were studied. High quality magnetic domain images of a Fe/Ni film using photoemission electron microscopy will be shown. Specifically, we will see how the competition between different magnetic energies affects the magnetization direction and domain structure of this system. Second, we studied a coupled ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic film to better understand the effect of interfacial interactions on the magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic film. Using surface magneto-optical Kerr effect and photoemission electron microscopy, the effect of atomic steps of an antiferromagnetic FeMn film on the magnetization of a ferromagnetic Co film were studied. Third, the effect of quantum well states on the ferromagnetic film was measured with the spin-polarized low energy electron microscope. We will investigate whether Au/Ru quantum well states affect the magnetic properties (e.g. Curie temperature) of the Co film in a Co/Au/Ru system. |
