RELATION BETWEEN STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES IN MAGNETIC AND SUPERCONDUCTING SUPERLATTICES

The physical properties of superlattices are strongly affected by the chemical and physical properties of the individual layers and by the s uperlattice structure. In this paper the relationship between structur e and properties will be illustrated by the giant magnetoresistance (G MR) effect, as well as the dimensional transitions and pinning mechani sms in respectively magnetic and superconducting superlattices. In the first example we will analyse the effect of the sample structure and interface quality on the GMR of polycrystalline and epitaxial Fe/Cr su perlattices grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Secondly, the effect of t hermal annealing and ion irradiation on the electrical and magnetic pr operties of Ag/Fe multilayers is discussed. In a third example, the in fluence of a very thin Fe interlayer on the coupling phenomena in Fe/N b multilayers is analysed. Finally, it will be shown that an additiona l lateral modulation (lattice of submicron holes) in Pb/Ge multilayers substantially changes the critical superconducting parameters.