Metallic Multilayers and their Applications: Theory, Experiments, and Applications related to Thin Metallic Multilayers (ISSN Book 4)

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 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 Chapter 1. GMR in Metallic Multilayers - a Simple Picture Chapter 2. Overview of First Principles Theory: Metallic Films Chapter 3. Thin Epitaxial Films: Insights from Theory and Experiment Chapter 4. Magnetic Anisotropy in Transition Metal Systems Chapter 5. Probing Layered Systems: a Brief Guide to Experimental Techniques Chapter 6. Generalized Kohn-Sham Density Functional Theory via Effective Action Formalism Chapter 7. Magnetic Tunnel Jusctions and Spin Torques Chapter 8. Confined Electronic States in Metallic Multilayers Chapter 9. Half-Metallic Systems: Complete Asymmetry in Spin Transport Chapter 10. Exact Theoretical Studies of Small Hubbard Clusters.