NMR and magnetization studies of orthorhombic distortion of Co in a (110)-oriented Co/Pt superlattice

NMR spin-echo and magnetization measurements performed on a MBE-grown, (110)-oriented Co/Pt superlattice reveal a strong in-plane, uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. This is due to large tensile strain exerted from the Pt lattice onto the Co layers, which leads to an orthorhombic distortion of the Co lattice. The orthorhombic distortion is also reflected in an anisotropy of the hyperfine field detected with the NMR method. This suggests that the magnetic anisotropy is correlated with an anisotropy of the orbital magnetic moments in these structures. © 1993 The American Physical Society.