Giant magnetoresistance in Co/Cu/Co pseudo spin valves

J. Q. Wang, L. M. Malkinski, J. M. MacLaren, S. L. Whittenburg, C. J. O'Connor

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Co/Cu/Co pseudo-spin-valves (PSVs) were deposited with different buffer and capping layers on natural Si wafers using magnetron sputtering. Improved magnetoresistance (MR) performance was achieved with Fe buffer due to induced anisotropy with sharp magnetization reversal, high MR value (9.2%), and enhanced field sensitivity (>2.0%/Oe) at low switching field (20 Oe). The magnetization reversal of the PSVs with Cr/Cu buffer was found to be dependent on the Cu spacer thickness showing oscillations. The PSVs with Fe buffer showed excellent properties and sharp switching from 5 K to 300 K. The overall switching behavior is strongly influenced by the capping layer by affecting magnetic coupling between the two Co layers. The MR values of the PSVs were accurately interpreted within a model based on first principles solution to the Boltzman transport equations calculations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)75-80
Number of pages6
JournalMaterials Science Forum
Volume373-376
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
Event8th European Magnetic Materials and Applications Conference (EMMA 2000) - Kyiv, Ukraine
Duration: Jun 7 2000Jun 10 2000

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