Quantum well states as mediators of magnetic coupling in superlattices.

TLDR: Quantum well states are found at the Fermi level in Cu on Co(100) and Ag on Fe( 100) and connect with minority-spin interface states observed below EF previously, providing a magnetic coupling channel through the noble metal.

Abstract: Quantum well states are found at the Fermi level in Cu on Co(100) and Ag on Fe(100) using inverse photoemission. They appear every 5.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5 layers in Cu/Co(100), which agrees with the 5.5- to 6-layer oscillation period of the magnetic coupling in Cu/Co(100) superlattices. For Ag/Fe(100) they connect with minority-spin interface states observed below ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{F}}$ previously, providing a magnetic coupling channel through the noble metal. These properties are explained in terms of the bulk band structure.