A local moment induces conduction-electron spin polarization, which mediates a second-order coupling to another moment. The static electronic spin susceptibility fixes the spatial interaction. For a three-dimensional spherical Fermi surface its leading large-distance form oscillates as , up to the overall sign convention and prefactor. The sign alternates with separation. Other band structures and dimensions change this form. [ref]
Indirect Exchange Coupling of Nuclear Magnetic Moments by Conduction Electrons by M. A. Ruderman and Charles Kittel. 1954, original conduction-electron-mediated magnetic coupling
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