Interlayer coupling in ferromagnetic epitaxial Fe3Si∕FeSi2 superlattices

Ferromagnetic epitaxial B2-type Fe3Si∕FeSi2 superlattices were prepared on Si(111) at room temperature by facing target direct-current sputtering. The bilinear and biquadratic coupling constants J1 and J2 of the antiferromagnetically coupled superlattice were comparable to those of the similar superlattices using Fe layers although the saturation magnetization of Fe3Si is approximately half as large as that of Fe. The authors believe that this is due to the formation of a well-ordered quantum well in the spacers, which is mainly caused by the regular accumulation of highly oriented Fe3Si layers.