Metallic Multilayers and their Applications: Theory, Experiments, and Applications related to Thin Metallic Multilayers

✍ Scribed by Gayanath W. Fernando (Eds.)

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 241
• Series: Handbook of Metal Physics 4
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Thin Metallic multilayer films have become an important part in today's computer technology. The giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect, which plays a central role here, was discovered in the late 1980s. This can be essentially described as the effect of a magnetic field on the electron transport leading to significant changes in the resistance. Other aspects of multilayers systems, such as stability, growth, confinement are also addressed. Theoretical and experimental methods used in such work are described in some detail, with special emphasis on density functional and spin density functional theories. Magnetic anisotropy in thin films is also discussed while addressing unresolved issues and new results from exchange-bias experiments.

Discusses the GMR effect
What makes multilayers interesting and useful?
What are the latest discoveries in this field?
Simple insights in to the physics behind multilayers
Novel concepts at small length scales
Theoretical and experimental background

✦ Table of Contents

Content:
Series Editor
Page ii

Volume Editor
Page iii
Gayanath W. Fernando

Copyright page
Page iv

Dedication
Page v

Dedication
Page vii

Preface
Pages ix-xi
Prasanta Misra

Volume Preface
Page xiii

Contents
Pages xv-xix

Chapter 1 GMR in Metallic Multilayers – A Simple Picture Original Research Article
Pages 1-32
Gayanath W. Fernando

Chapter 2 Overview of First Principles Theory: Metallic Films Original Research Article
Pages 33-61
Gayanath W. Fernando

Chapter 3 Thin Epitaxial Films: Insights from Theory and Experiment Original Research Article
Pages 63-87
Gayanath W. Fernando

Chapter 4 Magnetic Anisotropy in Transition Metal Systems Original Research Article
Pages 89-110
Gayanath W. Fernando

Chapter 5 Probing Layered Systems: A Brief Guide to Experimental Techniques Original Research Article
Pages 111-130
Gayanath W. Fernando

Chapter 6 Generalized Kohn–Sham Density Functional Theory via Effective Action Formalism Original Research Article
Pages 131-156
Gayanath W. Fernando

Chapter 7 Magnetic Tunnel Junctions and Spin Torques Original Research Article
Pages 157-175
Gayanath W. Fernando

Chapter 8 Confined Electronic States in Metallic Multilayers Original Research Article
Pages 177-194
Gayanath W. Fernando

Chapter 9 Half-Metallic Systems: Complete Asymmetry in Spin Transport Original Research Article
Pages 195-203
Gayanath W. Fernando

Chapter 10 Exact Theoretical Studies of Small Hubbard Clusters Original Research Article
Pages 205-215
Gayanath W. Fernando

Subject Index
Pages 217-220