Couplings and interface effects on magnetic and electronic properties in binary Ni/Cu superlattices

Abstract

Self-consistent ab initio calculations, based on DFT (Density Functional Theory) approach and using FLAPW (Full potential Linear Augmented Plane Wave) method, are performed to investigate both electronic and magnetic properties of the Ni/Cu superlattices. Polarized spin and spin–orbit coupling are included in calculations within the framework of the ferromagnetic state between two adjacent Ni/Cu superlattices.Within the framework of Monte Carlo simulations, we examine the magnetic properties in these binary Ni/Cu superlattices, modeled by σ=1/2 and S=1 spins. The considered Hamiltonian takes into account nearest-neighbor interactions, the crystal field Δ, and an external magnetic field h. The magnetizations of the two compounds are calculated versus the temperature for different spin configurations. The magnetizations versus the interface exchange interaction J⊥ and magnetic field are deduced. The magnetic hysteresis cycle is examined for the two configurations, for fixed values of the temperature.