In the past 30 years, magnetic research has been dominated by the question of how surfaces and interfaces influence the magnetic and transport properties of nanostructures, thin films and multilayers. The research has been particularly important in the magnetic recording industry where the giant magnetoresistance effect led to a new generation of storage devices including hand-held memories such as those found in the ipod. More recently, transfer of spin angular momentum across interfaces has opened a new field for high frequency applications.

This book gives a comprehensive view of research at the forefront of these fields. The frontier is expanding through dynamic exchange between theory and experiment. Contributions have been chosen to reflect this, giving the reader a unified overview of the topic.

• Addresses both theory and experiment that are vital for gaining an essential understanding of topics at the interface between magnetism and materials science
• Chapters written by experts provide great insights into complex material
• Discusses fundamental background material and state-of-the-art applications, serving as an indispensable guide for students and professionals at all levels of expertise
• Stresses interdisciplinary aspects of the field, including physics, chemistry, nanocharacterization, and materials science
• Combines basic materials with applications, thus widening the scope of the book and its readership