Application of a Gd Reference Layer for the Study of Magnetic Metallic Nanostructures by Neutron Reflectometry

The results of using resonance neutron scattering at Gd atoms for the experimental determination of complex reflection coefficient of metallic samples with ferromagnetic layers by neutron reflectometry are presented. A reference Gd layer is deposited onto the surface of the samples under study, for which the scattering length of slow neutrons substantially depends on the energy. By measuring the specular-reflection coefficient of neutrons for three different angles of incidence, one can solve the phase problem of neutron reflectometry and determine the modulus and phase of the complex reflection coefficient for an unknown part of the structure of a magnetic sample.