This research monograph discusses the close correlation between the magnetic and structural properties of thin films in the context of numerous examples of epitaxial metal films, while emphasis is laid on the stabilization of novel structures compared to the bulk material. Further options, possibilities, and limits for applications are given. Techniques for the characterization of thin films are addressed as well.

The Symposium on Magnetic Ultrathin Films, Multilayers and Surfaces, hosted by the European Materials Research Society, was held at the Palais de la Musique et des Congré in Strasbourg, France on June 4-7, 1996. Its central theme was the relationship of magnetic properties and device performance to structure at the nano and micrometer length scale. Research on the magnetism of surfaces, ultrathin films and multilayers has increased dramatically during recent years. This development was triggered by the discovery of coupling between ferromagnetic layers across nonmagnetic spacer layers and of the giant magnetoresistance effect in systems of reduced dimension using various micro and nanofabrication techniques has become a subject of special interest. It is certainly the promising application potential of these effects in new magnetic recording device geometries which causes this intensive research, which is done both by companies and at universities and research institutes. A selection of invited and contributed papers presented at the Symposium and accepted for publication is contained in this volume. The contents of these proceedings are organized into seven sections. A. Nanowires, Nanoparticles, Nanostructuring B. Ultrathin Films and Surfaces, Characterization C. Giant Magnetoresistance D. Coupling, Tunneling E. Growth, Structure, Magnetism F. Growth, Structure, Magnetoresistance G. Coupling, Magnetic processes, Magneto-optics. The first four sections contain invited and oral contributed papers in the listed research domains, while the last three sections contain the contributions presented during three large poster sessions.

Metallic films play an important role in modern technologies such as integrated circuits, information storage, displays, sensors, and coatings. Metallic Films for Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Applications reviews the structure, processing and properties of metallic films. Part one explores the structure of metallic films using characterization methods such as x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. This part also encompasses the processing of metallic films, including structure formation during deposition and post-deposition reactions and phase transformations. Chapters in part two focus on the properties of metallic films, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, and thermal properties. Metallic Films for Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Applications is a technical resource for electronics components manufacturers, scientists, and engineers working in the semiconductor industry, product developers of sensors, displays, and other optoelectronic devices, and academics working in the field. Explores the structure of metallic films using characterization methods such as x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy Discusses processing of metallic films, including structure formation during deposition and post-deposition reactions and phase transformations Focuses on the properties of metallic films, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, and thermal properties

The ability to understand and control the unique properties of interfaces has created an entirely new field of magnetism which already has a profound impact in technology and is providing the basis for a revolution in electronics. The last decade has seen dramatic progress in the development of magnetic devices for information technology but also in the basic understanding of the physics of magnetic nanostructures. This volume describes thin film magnetic properties and methods for characterising thin film structure topics that underpin the present 'spintronics' revolution in which devices are based on combined magnetic materials and semiconductors. Volume IV deals with the fundamentals of spintronics: magnetoelectronic materials, spin injection and detection, micromagnetics and the development of magnetic random access memory based on GMR and tunnel junction devices. Together these books provide readers with a comprehensive account of an exciting and rapidly developing field. The treatment is designed to be accessible both to newcomers and to experts already working in this field who would like to get a better understanding of this very diversified area of research.

Nanoscience is of central importance in the physical and biological sciences and is now pervasive in technology. However nanomagnetism has a special role to play as magnetic properties depend uniquely on both dimensionality and lengthscales. Nanomagnetism is already central to data storage, sensor and device technologies but is increasingly being used in the life sciences and medicine. This volume aims to introduce scientists, computer scientists, engineers and technologists from diverse fields to this fascinating and technologically important new branch of nanoscience. The volume should appeal to both the interested general reader but also to the researcher wishing to obtain an overview of this fast moving field. The contributions come from acknowledged leaders in the field who each give authoritative accounts of key fundamental aspects of nanomagnetism to which they have themselves made a major contribution. After a brief introduction by the editors, Wu first surveys the fundamental properties of magnetic nanostructures. The interlayer exchange interactions within magnetic multilayer structures is next discussed by Stiles. Camley then discusses the static, dynamic and thermal properties of magnetic multilayers and nanostructures, followed by an account of the phenomenon of exchange anisotropy by Berkowitz and Kodama. This latter phenomenon is widely in current read head devices for example. The transport properties of nanostructures also are spectacular, and again underpin computer technology, as we see from the discussion of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) and tunnelling magnetoresistance (TMR) presented by Fert and his colleagues. Beyond GMR and TMR we look to the field of spintronics where new electronic devices are envisioned and for which quantumcomputing may depend as discussed in the chapter by Flatte and Jonker.The volume concludes with discussion of the recently discovered phenomenon of current induced switching of magnetization by Edwards and Mathon. * Subject is in the forefront of nanoscience* All Section authors are leading figures in this key field* Presentations are accessible to non specialists, with focus on underlying fundamentals