A resistor network theory of the giant magnetoresistance in magnetic superlattices

Author

Edwards, David M. ; Mathon, Jiri ; Muniz, R. Bechara

Author_Institution

Dept. of Math., Imperial Coll., London, UK

Volume

27

Issue

4

fYear

1991

fDate

7/1/1991 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

3548

Lastpage

3552

Abstract

An explanation of the giant magnetoresistance effect observed in some magnetic superlattices is given in terms of an equivalent network of resistors. The model leads to a simple analytic formula that relates the magnetoresistance to the spin-dependent electron mean-free paths and thickness of the magnetic and nonmagnetic layers in the superlattice. The formula is used to study the giant magnetoresistance of Co/Cu and Fe/Cr superlattices, and is also used to predict the most favorable values of parameters for a large magnetoresistance effect.

Keywords

chromium; cobalt; copper; equivalent circuits; iron; magnetic thin films; magnetoresistance; metallic superlattices; Co-Cu superlattice; Fe-Cr superlattice; analytic formula; giant magnetoresistance effect; magnetic layers; magnetic superlattices; nonmagnetic layers; resistor network theory; resistors equivalent network; spin-dependent electron mean-free paths; Chromium; Electrons; Giant magnetoresistance; Intelligent networks; Iron; Magnetic analysis; Magnetic fields; Magnetic separation; Magnetic superlattices; Particle scattering; Resistors; Saturation magnetization;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/20.102926

Filename

102926