The effect of aluminum overlayers on the magnetization of iron and iron-nickel alloys

Iron and iron-nickel films 2 to 10 nm thick were prepared in a high vacuum magnetometer. The magnetic moment of each iron or iron nickel film was measured in situ, then an aluminum overlayer (2-30 nm thick) was deposited on the ferromagnetic film, and the magnetic moment was again measured in situ. The aluminum overlayer decreases the magnetic moment as if the iron film or iron-nickel film thickness decreases by about 0.3 to 0.5 nm.