Magnetic properties of 3D-metal superlattices and multilayers: a neutron diffraction study
J. L. Martínez
Institut Laue-Langevin, B.P. 156X, F-38042, Grenoble-Cedex, France
Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (sede B), CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049, Madrid, Spain
Available online 30 August 2002.
Abstract
Recent neutron diffraction results on the magnetic properties of Co-Cu, Fe-Cr, Fe-Ru and Mn-Ru superlattices, as well as Ag-Ni and Co-Cu multilayers are discussed. In all the cases, for a given thickness of the magnetic layer, the magnetic moments present long range in-plane ferromagnetic order. The coupling to the next magnetic layer through the non-magnetic intermediate metal is antiferromagnetic, with a strong dependence on the thickness of the intermediate metal layer. The coupling mechanism is discussed in comparison with thin film data.