The NSDL Classic Articles in Context (CAC) project seeks to integrate landmark works of scientific inquiry into dynamic learning spaces for teachers and learners. To achieve the goal of illustrating science as a process that builds, and often turns, on discovery and replication expressed in the archival literature of empirical findings, NSDL works with publishers to make the full texts of select “classic” articles available to patrons. In An Idiosyncratic History of Giant Magnetoresistance, the second issue of NSDL Classic Articles in Context, Prof. Peter M. Levy of New York University presents a journey through pure and applied scientific investigation as reported in 25 formative research papers.

Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) was discovered independently in 1988 by Albert Fert, of France, and Peter Grünberg, of Germany,who shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2007 for their work.  Over time researchers recognized the potential of GMR and increased exponentially the capacity of hard drive storage devices by incorporating multilayer composite materials into hard drive read heads. This modification made the read heads considerably more sensitive, allowing much more information to be encoded onto disk drives’ platters.

It begins with a problem examined in various forms by physicists from the early and mid-twentieth century, including Nobel Laureates Sir Neville Mott and Louis Néel. The collection then gives attention to studies made within the past 15-20 years–after the discovery of GMR–which led to significant technologic advance and continue to open up entire new fields of investigation.

As always NSDL Classic Articles in Context is most grateful to the Publishers and their critical journals–including The American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science; The American Physical Society, Physical Review Letters & Physical Review B; Elsevier, The Journal Magnetism and Magnetic Materials; The Institute of Physics, Proceeding of the Physical Society; Nature Publishing Group, Nature; and The Royal Society, Proceedings of the Royal Society–who collaborated with NSDL in compiling this issue.