Oscillatory interlayer coupling in Fe/Mn/Fe trilayers

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Abstract
Fe/Mn/Fe wedged-shape sandwiches were prepared by molecular beam epitaxy under optimal conditions. The interlayer coupling measured by magneto-optic Kerr effect is very strong for thin Mn layers. The canted angle between the magnetization vectors of the two magnetic layers in remanence increases gradually from 0° to about 180° and then gradually reduces to 90° for Mn thicknesses from 0.62 to 1.2 nm. For Mn layer thicknesses in the range between 1.2 and 2.45 nm, the interlayer coupling is always 90° coupling, but its strength oscillates with a short period of about 2 Mn monolayers. The above coupling phenomenon can be well described by the proximity magnetism model.