Regensburg 2000 – scientific programme

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AM: Magnetismus

AM 21: Magnetowiderstand III: GMR

AM 21.12: Talk

Thursday, March 30, 2000, 17:15–17:30, H10

Ab initio calculations of Giant MagnetoResistance — •J. Binder, P. Zahn, and I. Mertig — Institut für Theoretische Physik, TU Dresden, 01062 Dresden

For the first time full ab initio calculations for the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) are presented. The electronic structure of the multilayers is calculated by spin density functional theory using a Screened Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method. Scattering of impurity atoms and nanostructural defects in the multilayers is described by means of a Green’s-function method. The scattering potentials are calculated self-consistently. The transport properties are treated quasi-classically solving the Boltzmann equation including the electronic structure of the layered system and the anisotropic scattering. The solution of the Boltzmann equation is performed iteratively taking into account both scattering out and scattering in terms (vertex corrections). Trends of residual resistivities and GMR ratios are discussed for Co/Cu multilayers with 3d transition metal defects at different positions in the supercell, especially at the interface.