We revisit the theory of magnetoresistance for a system of nanoscopic magnetic granules in a metallic matrix. Using a simple model for the spin-dependent perturbation potential of the granules, we solve the Boltzmann equation for the spin-dependent components of the nonequilibrium electronic distribution function. For typical values of the geometric parameters in granular systems, we find a peculiar structure of the distribution function of conduction electrons, which is at variance with the two-current model of conduction in inhomogeneous systems. Our treatment explicitly includes the effects of dipolar correlations yielding a magnetoresistance ratio which contains, in addition to the term proportional to the square of uniform magnetization $〈\mathit{\mu }〉,$ a weak anisotropic contribution depending on the angle between electric and magnetic fields, and arising from the anisotropic character of dipolar interactions.

• Received 30 October 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.66.064416