ELEMENT specific magnetization of GdCo composite system using Spin polarized Auger electron spectroscopy (SPAES)

Spin polarized Auger electron spectroscopy is found to have application for monitoring element specific magnetization in composite systems. Here, we report on the first application of such a study performed on Gd-Co composite system. Besides the applicability of this technique in this system, it is observed that the 5d states have enhanced spin polarization confirming the coupling of moments in the composite system via 5d states of gadolinium. It is also directly observed that Co magnetic moments are indeed aligned antiparallel to the Gd ones, as it has been postulated by theory and by various methods. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.