Giant magnetoresistive spin valves with a strong exchange bias field and aweak interlayer coupling field

Spin valve multilayers exhibiting enhanced giant magnetoresistive (GMR) eff ect and weak interlayer coupling as well as strong exchange biasing were fa bricated by a two-step deposition procedure. The down sublayers (i.e., buff er layer Ta/free layer NiFe/interlayer Cu) were deposited at a lower argon pressure, then the upper sublayers (i.e., pinned layer NiFe/pinning layer F eMn/cover layer Ta) were deposited at a higher argon pressure. The former p romoted formation of the strong (111) textures, smooth interfaces, and dens e Cu film, resulting in a weak interlayer coupling. The latter promoted sma ll domains and less diffusive interfaces, resulting in a strong exchange bi asing and an enhanced GMR ratio. This shows that independent control of mag netoresistance, interlayer coupling, and exchange biasing is possible. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)06518-4].