Evidence for in-plane spin-flop orientation at the MnPt/Fe(100) interface revealed by x-ray magnetic linear dichroism

X-ray magnetic linear and circular dichroism at the Mn L-2,L-3 edges are used to determine the magnetic properties of epitaxial MnPt films on Fe(100). The good agreement between experimental linear dichroism and multiplet calculations reveals that the Mn spins are aligned in plane but perpendicularly to the underlying in-plane Fe spins. The absence of magnetic circular dichroism rules out the presence of uncompensated Mn spins at the interface.