Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) is observed in a new type of nanostructured material consisting of magnetic multilayered nanowires formed by electrodeposition into nanometer-sized pores of a template polymer membrane. The composition of these nanowires is modulated over nanometer length scales with distinct magnetic and nonmagnetic metallic layers. Magnetoresistance measurements with the current perpendicular to the layers were performed on the array of parallel nanowires. GMR of about 15% was observed at room temperature on Co/Cu multilayered nanowires.

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By exploiting the simplicity of a novel transport measurement on a ferromagnetic striped domain structure in a thin film of cobalt, we report the first direct observation of ferromagnetic domain wall scattering and what we believe to be the first clear indication of giant magnetoresistive effects in a homogeneous magnetic system. ͑ ͑ ͑The colossal MR effect, while seen in homogeneous materials, is believed to originate from a charge ordering phenomenon [see, for example, Y. Tokura et al., J. Appl. Phys. 79, 5288 (1996), and references therein], and is therefore distinct from GMR, which is an effect arising from spin dependent scattering.͒ ͒ ͒ A new model is proposed to describe these observations which highlights the crucial role played by electron spin precession in determining the electrical transport properties of magnetic interfaces. [S0031-9007(96) 00854-X]

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