Magnetic interaction between Co layers and Pd layers in Co/Pd multilayers

Abstract

The magnetic moment of Co/Pd multilayers where the Co layer is one layer thick has been calculated using the discrete variational-Xα cluster method. The moment of the multilayer per Co atom as a function of the number of Pd layers (nPd) shows a maximum at nPd=3. Moreover, it is found that the magnetic moment at the central Pd layer is induced antiferromagnetically for nPd=5. We conclude that the Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida interaction is dominant, rather than the d-d interaction between the central Pd layer and the Co layers, while the d-d interaction is dominant between the other Pd layers and the Co layers.