Theory of the magnetoresistance in magnetic multilayers: Analytical expressions from a semiclassical approach

Abstract

We use the semiclassical approach of Camley and Barnas to derive analytical expressions for the giant magnetoresistance of magnetic multilayers in several simple cases. We discuss the main features of our results and apply our expressions of the magnetoresistance to the interpretation of experimental data on Fe/Cr and Co/Ru multilayers. Finally we compare our results with those obtained in quantum models.