Exchange coupling and stability of PtMn-based spin valves

The exchange coupling and stability of spin valves with antiferromagnetic ( AF) PtMn films were investigated through the correlation between the magnet ic properties and their microstructures, The exchange coupling field (Hex) decreases during iterative MR measurements and this decrease associates clo sely with the changes in the rotational hysteresis loss (Wr), exchange anis otropy energy (Ke) and blocking temperature (Tb) distribution. Ordering of PtMn films that is featured by antiphase configuration is found to play a s ignificant role in determining the exchange coupling properties and stabili ty of these spin valves.