Novel Electron Transport Studies of Metallic Multilayers at Low Temperatures

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9423795 Pratt This research project extends research based on their has pioneering approach to the study of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in artificially structured multilayers of ferromagnetic and non- magnetic multilayers. The technique involves low temperature measurements with current flow perpendicular to the multilayer planes, and is termed CPP-MR. These measurements exhibit larger magnetoresistance than analogous in-plane measurements (CIP-MR), and also provide more direct access to the fundamental spin- dependent scattering parameters and to the interface-specific resistance. The research will compare CPP-MR and CIP-MR measurements on the same ferromagnetic/non-magnetic interface. New methods have been developed to analyze such data to extract fundamental information about magnetic interfaces. This information is also of great current interest in the context of applications of magnetic multilayers in the field of information storage technology. %%% Non-Technical Abstract: Appropriately fabricated magnetic multilayers, composed of alternating layers of magnetic and non- magnetic metals, each only a few atoms thick, have the property that their electrical resistance decreases drastically upon application of a magnetic field. They can thus be used to detect very small magnetic fields. Combined with their small size and fast response, this capability has made them of interest to the recording industry for extracting information from future generations of higher density magnetic disks and tapes. They also show promise for use in determining position or speeds-of- rotation of auto engine components. This project focuses on better understanding the fundamental physical phenomena involved, so as to achieve the ability to tailor magnetic multilayers to meet specific technological needs. The present research group has pioneered unique techniques for developing such understanding. These techniques will be further improved and applied to new materials in the current project. ***