Current distribution in spin-valve structures

Author

Beech, Russell S. ; Daughton, James M. ; Kude, William B.

Author_Institution

Nonvolatile Electron. Inc., Eden Prairie, MN, USA

Volume

30

Issue

6

fYear

1994

fDate

11/1/1994 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

4557

Lastpage

4559

Abstract

An analysis of the current distribution within a passivated Giant Magnetoresistance Ratio (GMR) sandwich is presented. The magnetic fields produced by the various current components and their affect on the GMR sandwich are examined. Currents in the non-magnetic inner layer of the sandwich and the passivation layer are seen to decrease the resistance change and GMR signal obtained with a given source current. Methods for determining the amount of current shunted by the non-magnetic layers are explained. Analysis of voltage versus field measurements from several samples show that 10% and 20% of the current is being shunted through 50 Å and 100 Å Ta passivation layers, respectively, and that 13% to 34% of the remaining current is shunted through the non-magnetic inner layer

Keywords

current distribution; giant magnetoresistance; magnetic multilayers; 50 to 100 A; Ta; current distribution; nonmagnetic inner layer; passivated Giant Magnetoresistance Ratio sandwich; passivation layer; spin-valve structures; Current distribution; Current measurement; Electrical resistance measurement; Giant magnetoresistance; Magnetic analysis; Magnetic field measurement; Magnetic fields; Magnetic materials; Passivation; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/20.334147

Filename

334147