Define a dimensionless channel contrast and spacer ratio . Positive give , and substitution gives the displayed expression. Equal channel responses, , eliminate the model's magnetic-configuration signal. Increasing the common spacer resistance at fixed increases the denominator and decreases .
This is a controlled comparison within the model. In an actual multilayer, changing a spacer thickness can change the magnetic coupling and the interfaces as well as electrical transport. Spin-flip scattering also mixes the channels that the calculation kept independent.
Two-current resistor model 2026-10-18
Consider two identical magnetic layers separated by a nonmagnetic layer, between reservoirs that impose the same terminal electric potential difference on both spin channels. Neglect spin-flip scattering and assume each layer obeys Ohm's law. In a magnetic layer, define positive channel electrical resistances . Let the spacer contribute to each channel. These are circuit parameters, not measured iron or chromium resistivities.
For parallel layer magnetizations, one channel meets and the other . For opposite layer magnetizations, each meets one , one , and the spacer. The two channels share the same terminal electric potential difference and run in parallel. Writing givesThe inequality is algebra, given the specified network. It shows how a difference between spin-channel responses can yield a difference between magnetic configurations even though all the constituent resistors are ohmic.
For chosen , , , the parallel channels have total electrical resistances and , while the opposite-alignment channels each have . Thus and . At a common terminal electric potential difference , the total electric currents are and , respectively.
