Depth profile of induced spin polarization in Au layers of Fe/Au(001) superlattices by resonant x-ray magnetic scattering

The depth distribution of the induced spin polarization in the Au layers of epitaxitial Fe/Au(001) superlattices has been estimated by resonant X-ray magnetic scattering, using circularly polarized X-rays near the Au L-3 absorption edge. It is suggested by precise analysis that An spin polarization has itinerant character and is distributed uniformly to the middle of each Au layer. Oscillations in the sign of the spin polarization, which are expected or believed from the oscillations of exchange coupling constant J as a function of spacer layer thickness, are not found in the depth distribution.