Title :
Perpendicular-current transport in exchange-biased spin-valves
Author :
Pratt, W.P., Jr. ; Steenwyk, S.D. ; Hsu, S.Y. ; Chiang, W.-C. ; Schaefer, A.C. ; Loloee, R. ; Bass, J.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Phys. & Astron., Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI, USA
fDate :
9/1/1997 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
We have measured giant magnetoresistance (GMR) with current perpendicular to the layer planes (CPP-MR) in exchange-biased (EB) spin-valves-a controllable spin-switch. We will present CPP data on EB-spin valves of Permalloy (Py) and Cu, and explain how the data are analyzed. Interpreted with the theory of Valet and Fert, the data yield an unexpectedly short value for the length over which electrons lose spin-memory in Py, the spin-diffusion length, lsfPy=5.5±1 nm. We will show that the CPP parameters derived with the aid of single EB-spin-valves predict rather well the CPP-MRs of double EB spin-valves
Keywords :
Permalloy; copper; exchange interactions (electron); ferromagnetic materials; giant magnetoresistance; magnetic multilayers; Ni86Fe14-Cu; Permalloy; controllable spin-switch; electron spin-diffusion length; exchange-biased spin-valves; giant magnetoresistance; perpendicular-current; Astronomy; Electrons; Geometry; Giant magnetoresistance; Magnetic materials; Magnetic multilayers; Magnetic sensors; Physics; Saturation magnetization; Spin polarized transport;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
