JMMM 93 (1991) 58-66

Invited paper

Layered magnetic structures: antiferromagnetic type interlayer couplnig 
and magnetoresistance due to antiparallel alignment

P. Grunberg, J. Barnas, F. Saurenbach, J.A. Fuss, A. Wolf and M. Vohl

Layered Fe/Cr structures are known to display antiferromagnetic type 
interlayer coupling and a new magnetoresistance (MR) effect due to 
antiparallel magnetization alignment. We review our results and compare 
with data obtained by other groups. The strength of the coupling is found 
to be similar in multilayered structures and doulbe layers. We consider 
briefly the possibility of dipolar coupling but come to the conclusion 
that it can be neglected. Concerning the new MR effect we will review the 
results of an experimental and theoretical study where the dependence of 
the effect on temperature and number and thickness of the magnetic layers 
in the layered structure was investigated. The basic assumption used in 
the theory was a spin dependent scattering of the electrons at the Fe-Cr 
interface. We have extended the investigations to Fe/V, Fe/Mn, Fe/Cu, 
Co/Au, Co/Cr and Co/Cu structures where antiparallel alignment of the 
ferromagnetic layers is obtained via hysteresis effects. We find also an 
MR effect due to antiparallel alignment which is strong for Co/Au and 
Co/Cu but weak in other cases. The experimental results and thier possible 
interrelations will be discussed.