Coupling in multilayered magnetic films

A coupling between the magnetization of two ferromagnetic films separated by a thin metallic layer has been observed. It is shown that when the intermediate layer is palladium the coupling results from diffusion of magnetic atoms into the palladium which makes it weakly ferromagnetic. The main systems in which ferro-antiferromagnetic coupling is observed are Co-CoO, Ni-NiO, FeNi-FeNiMn. In the latter case domain patterns and ripple are observed by electron microscopy.