GIANT MAGNETORESISTANCE AND SOFT-MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF CO90FE10 CU SPIN-VALVE STRUCTURES/

Spin-valve structures with a magnetic material buffer layer, CoNbZr/Ni Fe/Co90Fe10/Cu/Co90Fe10/Fe50Mn50, were prepared on a oxidized Si subst rate. From x-ray diffraction analysis, it was shown that the CoNbZr/Ni Fe buffer layer enhances the fee (111) orientation of the spin-valve s tructure on oxidized Si. After annealing, the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) ratio of Delta rho/rho = 8% and the soft magnetic properties of H-c = 0.1 Oe and H-k = 2.8 Oe were obtained. The sensitivity of GMR, ( Delta rho/rho)/Delta H, of 1.4%/Oe is achieved. (C) 1996 American Inst itute of Physics.