Interface defects and formation of non-collinear magnetic ordering in Fe/Cr multilayers

Non-collinear magnetic structure of Fe/Cr multilayers was investigated within the framework of Periodic Anderson model (PAM) in mean field approximation for Coulomb repulsion on sites. Self-consistent calculations were performed for the superlattices with different step width at the interface. It is shown that due to frustration in the interface region the ground state corresponds to non-collinear orientation of magnetic moments near steps. This non-collinear ordering penetrates on a large distance from the interface both in Fe and Cr layers and leads to the non-collinear magnetic coupling between Fe layers through the Cr spacer. Angle between magnetic moments of Fe slabs depends strongly not only on the thickness of the Cr spacer but also on the interface structure at atomic scale. It is found that only very specific types of the interface defects with plural frustrations can give out-of-plane orientation of magnetic moments.