Effect of pressure on the spin-dependence of electrical resistivity in Fe/Cr magnetic multilayers

The electrical resistivities of Fe/Cr magnetic multilayers have been measured at a high pressure and magnetic field. The electrical resistivity shows a large decrease by applying a magnetic field, indicating giant magnetoresistance (GMR). GMR decreases but the saturation field increases with increasing pressure. The spin-dependence of electrical resistivities due to the scattering of conduction electrons with spins parallel (ρ₊) and antiparallel (ρ_-) to the Fe layer magnetization are extracted. The pressure dependence of ρ₊ is greater than that of ρ_-. The origins of the pressure dependence of ρ₊ and ρ_- are discussed on the basis of theoretical model, and the large pressure coefficients for ρ₊ and ρ_- are suggested to be mainly due to a change in the random exchange potential at interfaces. A small minimum in the temperature-dependence of resistivity is induced by applying pressure. ρ₊ decreases but ρ_- increases with increasing temperature up to 40 K. The anomalous temperature-dependence of resistivities is discussed in connection with a Kondo-like effect.