Oscillatory exchange coupling in Co/Cu(111) superlattices

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Abstract
By probing the magnetization profile of high-quality molecular-beam-epitaxy-grown Co/Cu(111) superlattices with spin-polarized neutron reflectivity (SPNR), we have observed a coherent antiferromagnetic spin structure and confirm that this coupling behavior sensitively depends on the Cu spacer thicknesses. We present magneto-optical Kerr-effect data from which the period of the exchange coupling can be determined to be about 9 Å, consistent with theory and the SPNR data. With these results we confirm the existence of an oscillatory exchange coupling in this controversial system.