Abstract
We have studied the exchange coupling of antiferromagnetic NiO/ferromagnetic Ni80Fe20 bilayers, and have found the coupling strength is closely related to the crystallographic orientation of the NiO at the NiO/Ni80Fe20 interface. As the (111) of NiO, which is a parallel spin plane, becomes predominant at the interface, the coupling is enhanced. For the development of a spin-valve sandwich utilizing NiO as an antiferromagnetic (AF) layer, the configuration S/AF/F/NF/F (S = substrate, F = ferromagnetic layer, NF = nonmagnetic spacer) is more favorable for large magnetoresistance than the S/F/NF/F/AF configuration, because the former gives a high exchange field and a smooth NF spacer, resulting in an ideal antiparallel spin alignment in the sandwich during the magnetization process. Moreover, we have obtained a magnetoresistance ratio of 8% for Ni80Fe20 and 15% for Co at the optimum ferromagnetic layer thickness of about 50 Å.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 43-48 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials |
Volume | 164 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1996 Nov |
Keywords
- Antiferromagnetic
- Exchange coupling
- Magnetoresistance
- NiO
- Spin valve
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics