Fe/Tb (1.2 nm) multilayer films with various Fe layer thicknesses were prepared by vapor deposition. Magnetic and microstructure of the films were characterized by various experimental methods. The results show that the films evolve from ferromagnetic to superparamagnetic, and Fe in the multilayers transforms from bcc crystalline to amorphous state. The transition of magnetic property and structure is found to be related to the rough interface associated with the amorphous phase formation in Fe/Tb interface. In the [Tb(1.2 nm)/Fe(0.5 nm)]30 multilayer, Fe layers are separated into discontinuous superparamagnetic clusters by three-dimensional Tb crystal aggregates, which are responsible for paramagnetic-like spins at the interface that strengthen the spin-dependent scattering.
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