A new procedure described to manipulate the spin reorientation transition (SRT) in ultrathin ferromagnetic films, i.e., the oxygen assisted surfactant growth of Ni monolayers (ML), reduces the surface anisotropy energy. This in turn shifts the SRT down by about 5 ML. Through first principles calculations based on the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method, these characteristics are explained at the electronic structure level. The combination of experiment and theory allows us to specify the mechanism. This will be important for further engineering of new nanostructures.

• Received 6 August 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.147202