Interface anisotropy in cobalt‐based epitaxial superlattices

We have measured the magnetic anisotropy in a series of Co‐Au and Co‐Cu superlattices prepared by molecular‐beam epitaxy. Significant epitaxial strains give rise to a magnetoelastic contribution and a large crossover thickness (∼19 A) for perpendicular easy magnetization. The results are discussed in the context of a careful analysis of the interfacial strains and coherence determined by in situ. time‐resolved reflection high‐energy electron diffraction techniques and x‐ray scattering.