Quantum-well-induced ferromagnetism in thin films

We have used a first-principles Green’s-function technique to investigate the magnetic properties of thin films of Rh, Pd, and Pt deposited on a fcc Ag (001) substrate. We find that the magnetic moment of the film is periodically suppressed and enhanced as a function of film thickness. The phenomenon is explained in terms of quantum-well states moving through the Fermi level with increasing film thickness.