Influence of boundaries on magnetic ordering in Fe/V superlattices

We study the role of surface boundaries on the magnetic properties of [Fe/V](n) superlattice structures, with n=2-10. Using the magneto-optical Kerr effect and polarized neutron reflectivity measurements, we examine the evolution of both the total and the layer-resolved magnetizations as a function of temperature. By varying n, we observe a large shift in the transition temperatures T(c) and a substantial change in the total magnetization critical exponent beta. In particular, the thicker samples exhibit nonuniversal exponent values. By resolving the magnetization as a function of position within the superlattice, we show that this behavior arises from contributions of the surfaces. Furthermore, we attribute the large shift in T(c) to long-ranged interactions present in the superlattice.