Magnetic map and interlayer exchange coupling in Fe/Ni(1 1 0) and Fe/Ni(1 1 1) superlattices

The magnetic properties of Fe/Ni(1 1 0) and Fe/Ni(1 1 1) superlattices with face centered cubic structures are investigated through ab initio calculations. We determine the interlayer exchange coupling between the ferromagnetic Ni slabs versus the Fe spacer’s thickness as well as the magnetic map. For both directions of polarization (ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic) a strong ferromagnetic coupling between the Fe and Ni atoms is depicted at the Fe–Ni interfaces, whereas an oscillatory behavior of the magnetic moment is obtained inside the Fe films giving rise to an antiferromagnetic-like arrangement. The Fe interface mean magnetic moment has a tendency to stabilize around 2μB. A very different interlayer exchange coupling is obtained for the (1 1 0) direction as compared to (1 1 1).