Abstract
The magnetic moments in the (Fe x Co1-x ) n /Cu(100) system are calculated and shown for 2 ≤ n ≤ 7 and x =0.9 as resolved with respect to layers and components. While, as reported previously, in the ground state antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling between buried Fe layers occurs, surprisingly, also antiferromagnetic Co-Co and Fe-Co interlayer coupling is found. However, by assuming only ferromagnetic nearest-neighbour Fe-Co and Co-Co interactions on top of the dominating antiferromagnetic Fe-Fe nearestneighbour interactions, it is revealed that a simple Ising model is consistent with the results of the selfconsistent calculations. When analysing also the layer- and component-like band energy contributions to the magnetic anisotropy energy, remarkably different behaviour for the Fe and Co contributions can be seen.