Spin-Density-Wave Antiferromagnetism of Cr in Fe/Cr(001) Superlattices

Abstract
The antiferromagnetic spin-density-wave (SDW) order of Cr layers in Fe/Cr(001) superlattices was investigated by neutron scattering. For Cr thicknesses from 51 to 190 Å, a transverse SDW is formed for all temperatures below the Néel temperature with a single wave vector Q normal to the layers. A coherent magnetic structure forms with the nodes of the SDW near the Fe-Cr interfaces, and the magnetic coherence length greater than the Cr layer thickness. The results and modeling provide a direct confirmation of the persistence of bulklike antiferromagnetic SDW order in the Cr.