Inverse giant magnetoresistance (invited)

Inverse giant magnetoresistance (GMR) is obtained in multilayers alternating two ferromagnetic layers F1 and F2 with different asymmetry of spin scattering, α1≳1 and α2<1. This is clearly demonstrated in the simple spin‐valve system with perpendicular magnetization Fe1−xVx/Au/Co. With respect to Fe, the FeV alloys with x=0.18 and 0.29 exhibit an inversion of the spin scattering coefficients (αFe≳1, αFeV<1) due to the change of the densities of states at the Fermi level. The inverse MR of FeV/Au/Co is studied as a function of FeV layer thickness and temperature and compared to calculations based on the Camley–Barnas model. The data show that the inverse GMR is due to the bulk scattering within the FeV layer, which coexists with a substantial interface scattering favoring normal GMR.