Modulated magnetic properties in synthetic rare earth Gd-Y superlattices.

Significantly modulated magnetic properties in a series of synthetic rare earth Gd-Y superlattices were observed by magnetization measurements. The remanence and the saturation field values show an oscillatory dependence on the intervening nonmagnetic Y layer thickness, but not on the ferromagnetic Gd layer thickness. The oscillation occurs with a periodicity of seven atomic layers and extends over a range of 20 atomic layers. The results are interpreted on the basis of coherent propagation of the Ruderman- Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction through the Y medium.