Calculated magnetic and electronic properties of Co/Pd superlattices

The electronic and magnetic properties of several Co/Pd superlattices are predicted using the layer Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method. The superlattice polarizations, per Co atom, are found to exhibit a strong oscillatory dependence on Pd layer thickness; this result is in agreement with previous experimental observation. The effect is mostly caused by the induced Pd polarization which is found to depend strongly on superlattice and distance from the Co layer. Particularly surprising is the behavior of the Pd layer most distant from the Co: in Co/3Pd and Co/4Pd it has enhanced polarization relative to its neighboring Pd layers, in Co/5Pd the polarization is negative. In contrast, spin polarizations on Co atoms are predicted to attain a fairly uniform value of 2.00 electrons regardless of Pd thickness.