Observation of an asymmetrical effect when introducing Zr in Mg/Co multilayers

K. Le Guen (1) , M.-H. Hu (1) , Jean-Michel André (1) , S.-K. Zhou (2) , H.-C. Li (2) , J.-T. Zhu (2) , Z.-S. Wang (2) , C. Meny (3) , A. Galtayries (4) , Philippe Jonnard (1)

1 LCPMR - Laboratoire de Chimie Physique - Matière et Rayonnement
2 IPOE - Institute of Precision Optical Engineering [Shangai]
3 IPCMS - Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg
4 LPCS - Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie des Surfaces

We have developed Mg/Co, Mg/Zr/Co, Mg/Co/Zr, and Mg/Zr/Co/Zr periodic multilayers and measured at 25.1 nm a reflectivity (R) highly sensitive to the material order within the period. To understand why Mg/Co/Zr is a more efficient mirror (R=50%) than Mg/Zr/Co and Mg/Zr/Co/Zr (40%), we have probed the interface quality through time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements. The Zr-on-Co interface is found quite sharp while a strong intermixing process is evidenced between the upper Co and lower Zr layers, responsible for the decrease in optical contrast and subsequent reflectivity loss.

Mots clés: interface; multilayer

Domaines: Autre [cond-mat.other]; Matériaux

K. Le Guen, M.-H. Hu, Jean-Michel André, S.-K. Zhou, H.-C. Li, et al.. Observation of an asymmetrical effect when introducing Zr in Mg/Co multilayers. Applied Physics Letters, 2011, 98, pp.251909. ⟨10.1063/1.3601859⟩. ⟨hal-00642773⟩