Two Problems in Spin-Dependent Transport in Metallic Magnetic Multilayers

TL;DR

This paper investigates spin-dependent transport in metallic magnetic multilayers, focusing on interface resistance and current-induced magnetization switching, by integrating ballistic and diffusive scattering effects within a diffusive bulk transport framework.

Contribution

It introduces a unified approach to model interface scattering effects in multilayers, addressing both interface resistance and magnetization switching.

Findings

Derived expressions for interface resistance considering scattering effects.

Analyzed the impact of interface scattering on magnetization switching.

Provided a framework for layer-by-layer transport analysis in multilayers.

Abstract

Transport properties of magnetic multilayers in current perpendicular to the plane of the layers geometry are defined by diffusive scattering in the bulk of the layers, and diffusive and ballistic scattering across the interfaces. Due to the short screening length in metals, layer by layer treatment of the multilayers is possible, when the macroscopic transport equation (Boltzmann equation or diffusion equation) is solved in each layer, while the details of the interface scattering are taken into account via the boundary conditions. Embedding the ballistic and diffusive interface scattering in the framework of the diffusive scattering in the bulk of the layers is the unifying idea behind the problems addressed in this work: the problem of finding the interface resistance in the multilayered structures and the problem of current-induced magnetization switching.