Among transition-metal dichalcogenides, mono and few-layers thick ${\mathrm{VSe}}_2$ has gained much recent attention following claims of intrinsic room-temperature ferromagnetism in this system, which have nonetheless proved controversial. Here, we address the magnetic and chemical properties of $\mathrm{Fe}/{\mathrm{VSe}}_2$ heterostructure by combining element sensitive x-ray absorption spectroscopy and photoemission spectroscopy. Our x-ray magnetic circular dichroism results confirm recent findings that both native mono/few-layer and bulk ${\mathrm{VSe}}_2$ do not show intrinsic ferromagnetic ordering. Nonetheless, we find that ferromagnetism can be induced, even at room temperature, after coupling with a Fe thin film layer, with antiparallel alignment of the moment on the V with respect to Fe. We further consider the chemical reactivity at the $\mathrm{Fe}/{\mathrm{VSe}}_2$ interface and its relation with interfacial magnetic coupling.

• Received 5 September 2019
• Revised 12 December 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.101.035404