Temperature dependence of the magnetization of superlattices with variable interlayer magnetic couplings

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.45.2252· OSTI ID:5072050

Qiu, Z Q; Mattson, J E; Sowers, C H; Welp, U; Bader, S D ^[1]; Tang, H; Walker, J C ^[2]

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1. Material Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States)
2. Department of Physics, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 (United States)

A Heisenberg model is solved for the coupling of two-dimensional ferromagnetic layers separated by nonmagnetic spacer layers in a superlattice configuration. The cases of noncoupling, and ferromagnetic and anti-ferromagnetic interlayer couplings, are solved for the temperature dependence of the magnetization at low temperature; the results yield linear, {ital T}{sup 3/2} and {ital T}{sup 2} power laws, respectively. Experimental realization of the coupling cases was then sought. Three sputtered Fe/Cr superlattices with 10 A Fe layers and Cr-layer thicknesses of 100, 20, and 10 A were chosen to span the three cases, respectively. Superconducting-quantum-interference-device magnetometry yields linear and {ital T}{sup 3/2} behavior for the first two cases. Moessbauer spectroscopy in zero field indicates an approximately {ital T}{sup 2} behavior for the antiferromagnetically coupled sample. The results are discussed and related to recent magnetotransport work.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5072050
• Journal Information: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States) Vol. 45:5; ISSN PRBMD; ISSN 0163-1829
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
ANTIFERROMAGNETISM
CHROMIUM
CRYSTAL MODELS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
FERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
HEISENBERG MODEL
IRON
LAYERS
MAGNETIC MATERIALS
MAGNETISM
MAGNETIZATION
MAGNETORESISTANCE
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METALS
MOESSBAUER EFFECT
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SPIN WAVES
SUPERLATTICES
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TRANSITION ELEMENTS