Giant magnetic effects and oscillations in antiferromagnetic Josephson weak links

Josephson junctions with an antiferromagnetic metal as a link are described . An especially interesting case is provided by a barrier built on a giant magnetoresistance multilayer or by using doped manganites in the metallic A -phase. Such a junction is predicted to display unusual properties. The jun ction can be switched off by a relatively small magnetic field. In addition , the amplitude of the Josephson current rapidly oscillates as a function o f the field. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.