A theoretical investigation of the specific heat of superlattices in a magnetic field

Abstract

We analyze the specific heat variations as a function of an external magnetic field of a simple model of superlattice that includes (i) in--plane ferromagnetic exchange, (ii) interplane ferromagnetic exchange, (iii) dipolar interactions, (iv) magnetocristalline anisotropy. The calculations are carried out at the spin wave level. The interplay between the existence of a canting transition and the anisotropy of the structure generates non trivial behavior for the spin wave contribution to the low temperature specific heat as a function of an external magnetic field when dipolar interactions and magnetocristalline anisotropy are taken into account.