The interlayer exchange coupling mediated by valence band electrons in all-semiconductor IV-VI magnetic/nonmagnetic superlattices is studied theoretically. A 3D tight-binding model, accounting for the band and magnetic structure of the constituent superlattice components is used to calculate the spin-dependent part of the total electronic energy. The antiferromagnetic coupling between ferromagnetic layers in EuS/PbS superlattices is obtained, in agreement with the experimental evidences. The results obtained for the coupling between antiferromagnetic layers in EuTe/PbTe superlattices are also presented.
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0011135,
title = {Interlayer Exchange Coupling Mediated by Valence Band Electrons},
author = {J. Blinowski and P. Kacman},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0011135},
year = {2009}
}