Oscillatory magnetic exchange coupling through thin copper layers

TLDR: It is shown that Co slabs are indirectly exchanged coupled via thin Cu layers with a coupling that alternates back and forth between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic superlattices, confirming theoretical predictions more than 25 years old.

Abstract: Confirming theoretical predictions more than 25 years old, we show that Co slabs are indirectly exchange coupled via thin Cu layers with a coupling that alternates back and forth between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic Four oscillations are observed with a period of \ensuremath{\simeq}10 \AA{} Moreover, the antiferromagnetically coupled Co/Cu superlattices exhibit extraordinarily large saturation magnetoresistances at 300 K of more than 65%