The temperature dependence (50-300 K) of the magnetoresistance and exchange
bias field of spin valves with a CoO exchange bias layer have been investi
gated. At room temperature the GMR effect is enhanced in comparison with sp
in valves with a FeMn biasing layer. This enhancement increases for decreas
ing temperature for small Cu thicknesses. No influence of the antiferromagn
etism of CoO on the GMR has been observed upon crossing of the Neel tempera
ture. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.