ROOM-TEMPERATURE GMR STUDIES IN (CR,TA) [AU/NIFE](N) MULTILAYERS/

Multilayered samples of Au/NiFe were sputtered using dc magnetron sput tering, for room temperature giant magnetoresistance (GMR) studies. Tw o characteristic GMR peaks were observed at 15 and 28 Angstrom of Au s pacer thickness, with values of 7.4% and 5.4%, respectively. The large magnetoresistive effect at, low applied field has been attributed to the weak antiferromagnetic coupling of the magnetic layers as indicate d by their calculated exchange constant values. The effect of a buffer layer on the GMR hysteresis, along with its field sensitivity were in vestigated for both Cr and Ta precursor layers. The Ta underlayer show ed a significantly reduced GMR hysteresis. Also reported are GMR value s as a function of applied magnetic field during multilayer deposition , and substrate/buffer layer effects. The multilayer structures were h igh quality and textured along the [111] direction.