Abstract
To emulate the interfacial regimes of a Co/Pc/Co spin-valve structure, we fabricated ultrathin pentacene/cobalt (Pc/Co) and cobalt/pentacene (Co/Pc) bilayers. Through measurement of the magneto-optical Kerr effect, we found the Co layer has its magnetic properties depend strongly upon the order of deposition. Further x-ray spectroscopy and microscopy investigation indicated Co/Pc was chemically stable, whereas Pc/Co was reactive and exhibited complex magnetization pattern. The different chemistry and magnetic configurations at interfaces could cause additional complication for spin injection. © 2010 The American Physical Society.