W Weber, R.A. Bischof, R. Allenspach, C.H. Back, Jörg Fassbender, U. May, B. Schirmer, Jungblut R.M., G. Güntherodt, Burkard Hillebrands

• The magnetic anisotropy of Co/Cu~001! films has been investigated by the magneto-optical Kerr effect, both in the pseudomorphic growth regime and above the critical thickness where strain relaxation sets in. A clear correlation between the onset of strain relaxation as measured by means of reflection high-energy electron diffraction and changes of the magnetic anisotropy has been found.