Spin flip diffusion length and giant magnetoresistance at low temperatures

Abstract

Measurements at 4.2 K of the magnetoresistance of Co/AgMn, Co/CuMn, Co/AgPt, and Co/CuPt multilayers with the current perpendicular to the layer planes (CPP-MR) show effects of reduced spin diffusion lengths due to alloying of the nonmagnetic metal with impurities that produce spin-spin (Mn) or spin-orbit (Pt) scattering. Combining the data with a theory by Valet and Fert gives the spin diffusion lengths in the alloys.