By using the fully relativistic spin-polarized screened Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method and the corresponding Kubo-Greenwood equation resistivities and the giant magnetoresistance are evaluated for Fe/Au/Fe/Au spin valves assuming both bcc-like Fe and fcc-Au leads. The theoretically obtained values for a spacer thickness of 7 monolayers of Au are in a rather good agreement with the corresponding experimental data. These data, in particular the temperature dependence of the resistivities reported in here, are analyzed with respect to the experimental setup and related to the theoretical models assumed. Since in the theoretical calculations interdiffused interfaces are taken into account by means of the inhomogeneous coherent potential approximation, the role of the interfaces in the magnetoresistance of this system can be discussed rigorously.

• Received 10 July 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.67.054404