Theory of the perpendicular magnetoresistance in magnetic multilayers

T. Valet and A. Fert
Phys. Rev. B 48, 7099 – Published 1 September 1993
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Abstract

By starting with the Boltzmann equation, we calculate the transport properties of magnetic multilayers for currents perpendicular to the layers. Our model takes into account both volume and interface spin-dependent scattering. We show that the macroscopic equations already used by Johnson et al. or van Son et al. are justified if the spin-diffusion length is much longer than the mean free path, even for individual layer thicknesses of the order of the mean free path. But, second, we show that Johnson’s assumption of additive effects from independent interfaces in multilayers is incorrect and we obtain different results by taking into account the interplay between successive interfaces. The simple expressions derived for individual thicknesses much shorter than the spin-diffusion length are in agreement with the analysis of experimental results already proposed. It turns out that data on the perpendicular magnetoresistance can be used to separate clearly the volume and interface contributions to the spin-dependent scattering.

  • Received 15 April 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.48.7099

©1993 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

T. Valet

  • Laboratoire Central de Recherches, Thomson-CSF, 91404 Orsay, France

A. Fert

  • Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay, France

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Issue

Vol. 48, Iss. 10 — 1 September 1993

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