Magnetic and structural behavior of Fe-FexNi1−x multilayers

Abstract Multilayer films composed of thin Fe and Ni or of Fe and Fe 46 Ni 54 intermediate layers are prepared onto quartz-crystal substrates under UHV conditions. Varying the wavelength of the components yields a systematic change of the magnetic properties of the multilayer films. With decreasing wavelength the saturation magnetization is reduced, whereas the high-field susceptibility increases. This behavior appears to be consistent with the occurence of low spin (LS)-states of the Fe atoms in the interface regions of the layered films.