Structural relaxation and magnetic anisotropy in Co/Cu(001) films

The magnetic anisotropy of Co/Cu(001) films has been investigated by the magneto-optical Kerr effect, both in the pseudomorphic growth regime and above the critical thickness where strain relaxation sets in. A clear correlation between the onset of strain relaxation—as measured by means of reflection high-energy electron diffraction—and changes of the magnetic anisotropy has been found. © 1996 The American Physical Society.