Four-fold magnetic anisotropy in a Co film on MgO(0Â 0Â 1)

►Results suggest the lattice is already after the Bain transformation for TS=25 °C, and the Co film has a bct structure instead of an fct one. ►For deposition temperature of TS=25 °C, a four-fold in-plane magnetic anisotropy with Co〈1 1 0〉 easy directions has been obtained. ►The growth mode of Co on MgO single crystals at different temperatures resulted in bct Co at TS=25 °C, fcc Co at TS=200 °C and polycrystalline Co at TS=500 °C.