Comparison of magnetoresistance in spin valve films with Ni/Mn and Pt/Mn superlattice

Abstract We have shown that it is possible to make Ni/Mn superlattice-based spin valves that have high thermal stabilities. Ni/Mn superlattice was compared with Pt/Mn. The Ni/Mn superlattice after a thermal treatment at 240°C showed an FCT structure with the antiferromagnetic phase. The exchange coupling field ( H ex ) and the coercive field ( H c ) of [Ni(2 A)/Mn(3 A)] 40 /NiFe(60 A)/Cu(30 A)/NiFe(60 A) spin valves with 30 at% Ni [Ni/Mn] superlattice as the pinning layer are 305 and 245 Oe after thermal annealing for 12 h at 240°C, respectively. As-deposited Pt/Mn superlattice spin valves showed uniaxial anisotropy and exchange biasing without deposition field and post-annealing.