Angular Dependence of the Interlayer Exchange Coupling on the Nonmagnetic Cap Layers

Based on the one-band tight-binding model, the angular dependence of interlayer exchange coupling was investigated on the nonmagnetic cap layers in a magnetic sandwich covered on both sides by nonmagnetic films. The results show that (1) the appearance of noncollinear exchange coupling is very sensitive to the cap layers, (2) the nonoscillatory component of the coupling strength varies generally with the thickness of outer nonmagnetic films, and (3) the variation of exchange coupling exhibits distinct features in the cases where the thicknesses of both outer nonmagnetic films vary simultaneously and where the thickness of one of the two outer nonmagnetic films is fixed while the other is varied.