Effects of Interface Roughness on Conductance in Superlattices

The conductance in superlattices is studied using the Landauer formula with a transfer-matrix technique. The characteristics of the superlattice, i.e., the layer structure and roughness at interfaces, are treated in a tight-binding model on a two-dimensional long-strip lattice. In this context the magnetoresistance of a magnetic Fe/Cr superlattice, which is known to show giant magnetoresistance, is discussed.