GIANT MAGNETORESISTANCE IN HETEROGENEOUS ALLOY-FILMS

Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in heterogeneous alloy films offers an a lternative to GMR in multilayers and spin valves in a potentially simp ler structure. In this review, the general features of GMR in these he terogeneous films are discussed. These include film preparation, struc ture, magnetic properties and magnetoresistive behavior and the possib le correlations among these features. It is emphasized that we are at a very early stage in the development of this subject. In particular, much more detailed microstructural data we required in order to formul ate a reliable model.