Phenomenological theory of the giant magnetoresistance of ferromagnet-nonmagnetic metal granular media

A phenomenological model is developed for the giant magnetoresistance of granular media comprising ferromagnetic granules in a nonmagnetic metal matrix. Both volume and surface spin-dependent scattering by the ferromagnetic granules are taken into account. The internal electric fields are inhomogeneous because of the different conductivities of the granules and the matrix. The dependence of the effective conductivity of the medium on the average magnetization is calculated and used to explain the giant magnetoresistance effect. The magnetoresistance is plotted as a function of the volume concentration of ferromagnetic granules and the granule radius. Experiments on Co-Cu and Co-Ag granular films are discussed. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 1871–1875 (October 1998)