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Phys. Rev. Lett. 74, 586–589 (1995)

[Issue 4 – 23 January 1995 ]

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Giant Magnetoresistance without Defect Scattering

Kees M. Schep^1,2, Paul J. Kelly¹, and Gerrit E. W. Bauer²

¹Philips Research Laboratories, Prof. Holstlaan 4, 5656 AA Eindhoven, The Netherlands

²Faculty of Applied Physics and Delft Institute for Microelectronics and Submicrontechnology, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands

The ballistic transport properties of magnetic metallic multilayers are studied using calculations based on the local-spin-density approximation in which the s electrons and the d electrons, usually held responsible for conduction and magnetism, respectively, are treated on an equal footing. A giant magnetoresistance of up to 120% is calculated for point contacts of Co/Cu multilayers. The effect can be explained as a slowing down of the s electrons by hybridization with d electrons which are strongly reflected and partially localized by the spin-dependent interface potentials. The method should be a useful instrument in a systematic search for new materials for magnetoresistive applications.

©1995 The American Physical Society

URL: http://link.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v74/p586
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.74.586
PACS: 71.25.Pi, 72.15.Gd, 73.40.Jn, 75.50.Rr

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