d-like quantum-well states in (111)-oriented metallic overlayers on Fe and Co

(111)-oriented metallic overlayers of Cu, Au, Pd, and Pt with thicknesses up to 3 atomic layers (AL) on Fe(110) or Co(0001) show evidence for d-like quantum-well (QW) states in spin-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The noble-metal d-like QW states are not spin polarized and are well below the Fermi level. In contrast, the d-like QW states of Pd and Pt approach the Fermi level for about 3 AL, but are spin polarized only for the first AL. Thus both types of QW states do not mediate the antiferromagnetic interlayer exchange coupling in corresponding (111)-oriented magnetic multilayers.