GIANT MAGNETORESISTANCE IN MAGNETIC NANOS TRUCTURES

Since its discovery in magnetic multilayers, giant magnetoresistance h as become one of the main research topics in both applied and pure mag netism. Their magnetic and transport properties call for new theories, specially to explain the coupling mechanism between layers and the wa y spin-dependent scattering gives rise to giant magnetoresistance. Als o, this class of new materials calls for study of their structural pro perties. In this paper, we review some experimental results and theore tical models on GMR in magnetic multilayers. Then, we present an overv iew of the giant magnetoresistance in slightly different nanostructure s - granular alloys and hybrid systems - where magnetic layers are rep laced by nanometric clusters.