Date: May 15, 2007

Prof. Peter Grunberg, IFF Germany

Title: Spin Transfer Phenomena in Layered Magnetic Structures:
Research and Applications

Abstract: 
During the last decades a range of experiments has become known which
is based on spin dependent transfer of electrons from one
ferromagnetic film to another across a nonferromagnetic
interlayer. For the ferromagnetic films generally only metals are
considered, whereas the interlayer material can be metallic,
semiconducting or insulating. Various processes like elastic or
inelastic electron scattering, reflection and/or tunnelling can occur
during the transition, which depend on the orientation of the electron
spin with respect to the local magnetization. Due to this, oscillatory
interlayer exchange coupling (IEC), Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR), and
current induced magnetic excitations and switching (CIMS) are observed
when the interlayer is metallic. For insulating and semiconducting
interlayers, nonoscillatory IEC, tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR), and
recently also CIMS has been observed. These phenomena will be
discussed using simple and transparent physical pictures. Applications
are mainly in the area of magnetic recording and sensors for position
and motion.