title: Forcing ferromagnetic coupling between rare-earth-metal and 3d ferromagnetic films.
abstract: Using density functional calculations, we have studied the magnetic properties of nanocomposites composed of rare-earth-metal elements in contact with 3d transition metals (Fe and Cr). We demonstrate the possibility to obtain huge magnetic moments in such nanocomposites, of order 10mu(B)/rare-earth-metal atom, with a potential to reach the maximum magnetic moment of Fe-Co alloys at the top of the so-called Slater-Pauling curve. A first experimental proof of concept is given by thin-film synthesis of Fe/Gd and Fe/Cr/Gd nanocomposites, in combination with x-ray magnetic circular dichroism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden. Biplab.Sanyal@fysik.uu.se
authors.forename: Biplab
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sanyal
authors.forename: Carolin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antoniak
authors.forename: Till
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burkert
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krumme
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Warland
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stromberg
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Praetorius
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fauth
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wende
authors.forename: Olle
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Eriksson