Magnetic structure of films: Dependence on anisotropy and atomic morphology

Finally, the magnetic structure of coupled FM-AFM layers is studied. The interlayer coupling induces a net magnetic binding energy and thus results in an effective interface anisotropy of the FM layer. A noncollinear magnetization is induced in the AFM layers and possibly also in the FM layers close to the interface. We show that the magnetic structure of the interface layers and the resulting magnetic ordering temperature(s) depend sensitively on the lattice symmetry. The importance of the collective magnetic excitations for these coupled FM-AFM systems is also pointed out. The resulting interface anisotropy may enhance the total anisotropy of the FM subsystem. Alternatively, if the interface anisotropy competes with the intrinsic FM anisotropy, a magnetic reorientation of the FM film can take place with an increasing temperature and varying FM film thickness.