MODELING EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ANNEALING ON GIANT MAGNETORESISTIVE RESPONSE IN DISCONTINUOUS MULTILAYER NIFE AG FILMS/

The giant magnetoresistive (GMR) behaviors of discontinuous double-lay er giant magnetoresistive films with different microstructure arising from different annealing conditions, are calculated using a numerical micromagnetic model. The effect of magnetic grain growths in the perpe ndicular and lateral directions in the magnetic layers, and the format ion and growth of grain clusters were studied. The GMR responses of th e films are analyzed in terms of magnetostatic interactions between th e magnetic layers and the microstructural geometric effects on the tra nsport properties of the samples. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physi cs.