Indirect interactions between localized magnetic moments in intrinsic semiconductors

The indirect interaction between localized magnetic moments in insulators and semiconductors is investigated at T = 0°K. This interaction arises from virtual excitations of the valence electrons to the conduction band and is oscillatory as a function of distance. The passage from the case of small gap semiconductors to insulators is studied in detail, as a function of the energy gap and the effective masses. The Bloembergen-Rowland interaction is derived as a limiting case for insulators. Possible applications are also discussed.