Determination of the magnetization profile of Co/Mg periodic multilayers by magneto-optic Kerr effect and X-ray magnetic resonant reflectivity

The resonant magnetic reflectivity of Co/Mg multilayers around the Co L 2,3 absorption edge is simulated then measured on a specifically designed sample. The dichroic signal is obtained when making the difference between the two reflectivities measured with the magnetic field applied in two opposite directions parallel to the sample surface. The simulations show that the existence of magnetic dead layers at the interfaces between the Co and Mg layers leads to an important increase of the dichroic signal measured in the vicinity of the third Bragg peak that otherwise should be negligible. The measurements are in agreement with the model introducing 0.25 nm thick dead layers. This is attributed to the Co atoms in contact with the Mg layers and thus we conclude that the Co-Mg interfaces are abrupt from the magnetic point of view.