Coupling in Fe(2 ML)/V(y ML) and Fe(2 ML)/V(y ML)/Fe(3 ML)/V(y ML) (y ≥ 4) superlattices

Fe(2 ML)/V(y ML) and interleaved Fe(2 ML)/V(y ML)/Fe(3 ML)/V(y ML) superlattice systems with spacer thicknesses, y, (4 ≤ y ≤ 17) were investigated macro-magnetically to estimate the coupling strength and the magnetoresistance in these materials, and particularly in the antiferromagnetically coupled monolayers. The results from the magnetic and magnetoresistive measurements indicate that adding one monolayer of Fe increases the antiferromagnetic coupling and the magnetoresistivity ratio from 0.0075 mJ/m2 at 20 K and 2 % at 10 K for Fe(2 ML)/V(y ML), to 0.05 mJ/m2 and 2.5 % for Fe(2 ML)/V(y ML)/Fe(3 ML)/V(y ML) at the same temperatures. Both systems exhibit in-plane magnetic and magnetoresistive isotropy, therefore the increase of the conferred physical parameters is attributed mainly to the stresses at the interface as governing mechanisms over the magnetoelastic forces.