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Interlayer Exchange Coupling

Published

Author(s)

Mark D. Stiles

Abstract

In magnetic multilayers, in which ferromagnetic layers are separated by non-magnetic spacer layers, the magnetizations are coupled by interactions across the spacer layer. One type of coupling, bilinear exchange coupling, originates from the quantum well states set up by the spin dependent reflection of electrons from the interfaces between the layers. Another type of coupling, biquadratic coupling, originates from frustration induced by defects in the structures. Over the past decade and a half, there has been a great deal of research toward understanding such coupling. This chapter presents physical models for the coupling, discusses experimental measurements of the coupling, and compares the results of the measurements with predictions of the models.
Citation
Ultrathin Magnetic Structures III
Volume
200
Issue
Nos. 1-3
Publisher Info
Springer-Verlag, New York, NY

Keywords

electron states, exchange coupling, Fermi surfaces, interface reflection, magnetic multilayers

Citation

Stiles, M. (2004), Interlayer Exchange Coupling, Ultrathin Magnetic Structures III, Springer-Verlag, New York, NY, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=620544 (Accessed March 28, 2024)
Created December 13, 2004, Updated February 19, 2017