Origin of noncollinear magnetization coupling across RuX layers

We present a simple atomistic model for the description of noncollinear coupling in magnetic multilayers with hybrid spacer layers made of Ru alloyed to ferromagnetic atoms such as Fe. In contrast to previous analytical and micromagnetic models that explain the noncollinear coupling by means of lateral fluctuations in the coupling constant, the presented model accounts for atom-atom coupling in all three spatial dimensions within the spacer layer. The model is able to accurately predict the dependence of the macroscopic bilinear and biquadratic coupling constants on the spacer-layer composition and thickness, showing much better quantitative agreement than lateral-fluctuation models. Moreover, it predicts that the noncollinear coupling is virtually independent of the exchange stiffness in the ferromagnetic layers, which goes beyond the predictions of previous models. This prediction is validated by experimental measurements.