COMPOSITIONAL CONTROL OF INTERLAYER MAGNETIC COUPLING IN CO RU/CO(AG)AND CO/CU/CD(AG) TRILAYER FILMS/

In this paper we report a large change in the phase (up to 360 degrees ) of the interlayer magnetic exchange coupling in Co/Ru/Co and Co/Cu/C o trilayer systems which is controlled by the addition of small amount s of Ag, Au or Cu (up to 8%) to the Co layers. An analysis of the phas e shifts is made in terms of charge transfer from the doping atoms whi ch modifies the interfacial spin dependent potentials is discussed and found to be consistent with charge transfer based on band calculation s for Ag doped Co. In addition, a strong antiparallel bias to the inte rlayer magnetic exchange coupling in Co/Ru/Co trilayers is observed fo r small spacer layer thicknesses, suggesting the existence of an addit ive superexchange interaction.