CAN SPIN VALVES BE RELIABLY DEPOSITED FOR MAGNETIC RECORDING APPLICATIONS

The tolerance of the expected read-back signal of spin valve giant mag netoresistance based structures to varying deposition and process cond itions are described. We determine if spin valves can be produced reli ably, and evaluate which thicknesses and properties are most critical. First, the dependence of spin valve properties on layer thickness are experimentally determined. Next, the variation of read-back signal an d transfer curve characteristics with spin valve properties' is calcul ated from micromagnetic modeling. Finally, these are convolved with th e expected reproducibility of layer thickness to obtain an effective ' 'yield'' of structures within 10% of the mean amplitude. We find that spin valves can be reliably deposited, with ''yields'' well in excess of 90% likely. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.