Spin-Density-Wave Antiferromagnetism of Cr in Fe<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mo>/</mml:mo></mml:math>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 \AA{}, a transverse SDW is formed for all temperatures below the N\'eel 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.