Long-range chemical interaction in solid-state synthesis: The formation of a CuAu alloy in Au/$\beta$-Co(001)/Cu(001) epitaxial film structures

The effect of an inert Co layer (0, 210, 480 nm) on the chemical interaction between Cu and Au in Au/β-Co(001)/Cu(001) epitaxial films has been investigated by X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, photoelectron spectroscopy, and magnetic structure measurements. Mixing at interfaces in Cu/β-Co(001) and Au/β-Co(001) bilayer films has not been revealed up to a temperature of 600°C. The solid-state synthesis of ordered CuAu| and CuAu‖ phases occurs through the Co inert buffer layer in Au/β-Co(001)/Cu(001) trilayer film systems with an increase in the annealing temperature. The initiation temperatures of the CuAu| and CuAu‖ phases increase only slightly with the thickness of the Co buffer layer. The assumption of the long range of the chemical interaction between Cu and Au through the chemically inert Co layer is justified using the performed investigations.