Theoretical calculation of magnetic properties of ultrathin Fe films on Cu(100)

The temperature dependence of the magnetization in fee Fe on Cu(100) is cal culated using a self-consistent local mean-field theory. The model reproduc es an experimental magnetization oscillation as a function of film thicknes s and supports a picture where the top two layers are ferromagnetically cou pled, and the remaining layers are antiferromagnetically coupled. The origi n of the puzzling linear temperature dependence in oscillation amplitude is understood as a "surface phenomena" of the antiferromagnetic layer at the Fe/Cu interface. Proximity effects between a thin antiferromagnet with a lo w Neel temperature and a neighboring ferromagnet with a higher Curie temper ature are discussed.