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For the structural characterization of a Co100-xFex nano-oxide layer (NOL), the exchange bias properties of the Co100-xFex-natural oxidized NOL in the specular spin-valve (SPSV) system were investigated. The exchange bias energy (Jex) increased monotonically with the increasing Fe content for the Co100-xFex-NOL. The enhancement of both the magnetoresistance ratio and the exchange bias field (Hex) was realized by increasing the Fe content in the Co100-xFex-NOL. It should be mentioned that Hex more than 800 Oe is obtained by the insertion of Co30Fe70-NOL, even in NOL-SPSV, which is a remarkably higher pinning field than that ever reported on IrMn-SV. This high exchange bias field is considered to be realized by the formation of an Fe-rich fcc phase at the interface of IrMn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spin valve films with a laminated antiparallel Co/NiFe/Ru/NiFe synthetic ferrimagnet (SF) free layer combined with PtMn/Co/Ru/Co SF pinned layers were demonstrated to maintain large magnetoresistance ratio of ∼8.0% even below ∼10 Å of effective thickness of the Co/NiFe/Ru/NiFe SF free layers, defined as the thickness difference of the two ferromagnetic layers antiferromagnetically coupled through Ru. Spin flopping field Hsf and saturation field Hs of the Co/NiFe/Ru (8 Å)/NiFe SF free layers slightly increased after annealing at 250 °C for 4 h, and then the Hsf of the Co (3 Å)/NiFe(30 Å)/Ru(8 Å)/NiFe(20 Å) SF free layer after annealing remained 600 Oe, even at 200 °C. Further, antiferromagnetic coupling interlayer materials and their thickness dependence of Hsf and Hs were investigated in the Co(3 Å)/NiFe(40 Å)/X/NiFe(25 Å), X=Ru, Cr, Ir, and Rh, sandwich stacks. The oscillatory antiferromagnetic exchange coupling was clearly observed, and the large Hsf and Hs exceeding 2000 Oe and 7 kOe, respectively, were obtained both at Ir 3.8 Å and Rh 6.1 Å, which corresponded to the oscillatory first peak in the Co/NiFe/Ir/NiFe and Co/NiFe/Rh/NiFe sandwiches. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which investigated the single and dual spin valve films with antiferromagnetic synthetic ferrimagnet pinned layer. Experimental procedure; Results and discussion.

Focuses on a study which examined the structural and soft magnetic properties of iron/iron-hafnium-carbon multilayered films prepared by annealing sputter-deposited iron/amorphous-iron-hafnium-carbon multilayers. Experiment; Description of the multilayered films; Discussion of the annealing temperature dependence of μ.