Effects of bulk and interface scattering on giant magnetoresistance in the Co/Cu multilayer systems

The evolution of the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect in thin film multilayers based on (Co/Cu)n has been investigated by using semi-classical approach of the two spin channel currents developed by Hood, Falicov and Penn. The in plane MR of Co/Cu multilayers is calculated for correlated quasiperiodic interfaces. The numerical results show important influence of interface roughness on the behaviour of MR. The variation of MR with phenomenological parameters S↑ and S↓ for two directions of spin and relaxation time is reported. This interface roughness has been successfully included in our GMR simulation using a semi-classical description to analyse the experimental results giving the variation of MR with the thickness of the copper interlayer.