Structural characterization of Co100-xFex nano-oxide layer.

For the structural characterization of a Co_100-xFe_x nano-oxide layer (NOL), the exchange bias properties of the Co_100-xFe_x-natural oxidized NOL in the specular spin-valve (SPSV) system were investigated. The exchange bias energy (J_ex) increased monotonically with the increasing Fe content for the Co_100-xFe_x-NOL. The enhancement of both the magnetoresistance ratio and the exchange bias field (H_ex) was realized by increasing the Fe content in the Co_100-xFe_x-NOL. It should be mentioned that H_ex 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]