Simplified first principles approach to exchange coupling in magnetic multilayers

We determined oscillatory periods, phases, and coupling strengths for [001] Fe/V and Fe/Cr, using a highly accurate, non-self-consistent first-principles method. The periods obtained for Fe/Cr are consistent with experiment both for paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic Cr. These results clearly show how the Cr antiferromagnetism affects the exchange coupling. For [001] Fe/V, we predict short and long periods that have not yet been observed, but provide tests for the theory. We also discuss the merits of our computational approach. © 1993 The American Physical Society.