Spin-accumulation-induced resistance in mesoscopic ferromagnet-superconductor junctions

We present a description of spin-polarized transport in mesoscopic ferromagnet-superconductor (F/S) systems, where the transport is diffusive and the interfaces are transparent. It is shown that the spin reversal associated with Andreev reflection generates an excess spin density close to the FIS interface, which leads to a spin contact resistance. Expressions for the contact resistance are given for two-terminal and four-terminal geometries. In the latter the sign depends on the relative magnetization of the ferromagnetic electrodes. [S0163-1829(99)00640-2].