Spin polarization of epitaxial Cr on Fe(001) and interlayer magnetic coupling in Fe/Cr multilayered structures

Abstract
Interlayer coupling in metallic multilayer is generally thought to be akin to the RKKY coupling of magnetic moments through conduction electrons. By analyzing recent experimental data on the spin polarization of chromium on iron substrates we confirm that the RKKY coupling cannot by itself explain the interlayer coupling in Fe/Cr multilayers. An additional coupling is warranted by the data, and we explain its origin.