Exchange Coupling Across Cu(100): A High-Precision Study

Oscillatory exchange coupling is investigated in epitaxially grown magnetic structures of the type M/Cu/Co/Cu(100), where M = f.c.c.-Fe, b.c.c.-Fe, f.c.c.-Co, and f.c.c.-Ni. Both long- and short-period oscillations are identified for Cu wedge thicknesses up to 60 monolayers. The corresponding periods, amplitudes, and relative antiferromagnetic peak shifts are determined and compared to available theories.