Modulated magnetic properties in synthetic rare-earth Gd-Y superlattices

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Abstract
Modulations of the magnetic properties in synthetic rare-earth Gd-Y superlattices were observed by magnetization measurements. The remanence and the saturation field show an oscillatory dependence on the intervening nonmagnetic Y layer thickness, but not on the ferromagnetic Gd layer thickness. The oscillation occurs with a periodicity of 7 atomic layers and extends over a range of 20 atomic layers. The results are interpreted on the basis of coherent propagation of the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction through the Y medium.