The deposition of Fe on Al(100) at 295 and 200 K has been investigated with Rutherford backscattering (RBS), low energy electron diffraction, Auger spectroscopy, angle resolved Auger electron spectroscopy, surface magneto-optic Kerr effect (SMOKE) and Brillouin light scattering measurements. The initial deposition of Fe results in the Fe alloying with the Al substrate, producing a disruption in the near-surface order. By a Fe coverage of 1 ML both the short-range and long-range order is completely disrupted. As deposition continues the alloying is observed to end, and for coverages > 5 ML a poorly ordered bcc Fe(100) overlayer, rotated 45 degree(s) from the Al(100) substrate, is observed. Annealing this poorly ordered overlayer results in the Fe alloying into the substrate. The magnetic properties of the Fe/Al(100) overlayers also are discussed.
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