Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
The magnetism and the electronic structure of fcc Co films epitaxially grown on Cu(100) was investigated by spin polarized electron energy loss spectroscopy. Films above 2 atomic layers thickness show ferromagnetic order above room temperature with the magnetization in the plane. An exchange splitting of 0.8 eV and a Stoner gap of 300 meV is found. Films thinner than 1.6 layers do not show remanent magnetization above 80 K. No evidence for enhanced moments in monolayer films is found.