Theoretical analysis of the influence of magnetic domain walls on longitudinal and transverse magnetoresistance in tensile strained (Ga,Mn)As epilayers

Abstract

We present a theoretical analysis of recent experimental measurements of magnetoresistance in ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{x}\mathrm{As}$ epilayers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The model reproduces the field-antisymmetric anomalies observed in the longitudinal magnetoresistance in the planar geometry (magnetic field in the epilayer plane and parallel to the current density), as well as the unusual shape of the accompanying transverse magnetoresistance. The magnetoresistance characteristics are attributed to circulating currents created by the presence of magnetic domain walls.