Specific Resistance Of Pd/Ir Interfaces

From measurements of the current-perpendicular-to-plane total specific resistance (AR=area times resistance) of sputtered Pd/Ir multilayers, we derive the interface specific resistance, 2AR(Pd/Ir)=1.02 +/- 0.06 f Omega m(2), for this metal pair with closely similar lattice parameters. Assuming a single fcc crystal structure with the average lattice parameter, no-free-parameter calculations (including only spd orbitals) give for perfect interfaces 2AR(Pd/Ir) (perf)=1.21 +/- 0.1 f Omega m(2), and for interfaces composed of 2 ML of a random 50%-50% alloy 2AR(Pd/Ir) (50/50)=1.22 +/- 0.1 f Omega m(2). Within mutual uncertainties, these values fall just outside the range of the experimental value. Updating to add f-orbitals gives 2AR(Pd/Ir) (perf)=1.10 +/- 0.1 f Omega m(2) and 2AR(Pd/Ir) (50-50)=1.13 +/- 0.1 f Omega m(2), values now compatible with the experimental one. We also update, with f-orbitals, calculations for other pairs.