The planar Hall effect in MnSb films and MnSb-based multilayer structures grown on (111)B GaAs

We report on the planar Hall effect properties of ferromagnetic MnSb films in ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic multilayer structures. We demonstrate an enhan cement of the relative planar Hall resistivity when MnSb is used in multila yer structures. In single-layer MnSb films, the relative planar Hall resist ivity is similar to 2.5%, while the multilayer structures demonstrate up to similar to 41% change. The following structures were prepared by pulsed la ser deposition and grown on (1 1 1)B GaAs: epitaxial and polycrystalline Mn Sb thin films, MnSb/Bi multilayers and Mn/Sb/Mn/Bi multilayers. The multila yer structures also demonstrate temperature dependence, as the relative res istivity decreases to similar to 30% when the temperature decreases to 100 K. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.