Surface and Interface Effects in the Growth of Giant Magnetoresistance Spin Valves for Ultrahigh-Density Data-Storage Applications

Published

August 1, 2001

Author(s)

William F. Egelhoff Jr., P J. Chen, Cedric J. Powell, Robert D. McMichael, Mark D. Stiles

Abstract

The current generation of hard disk drives use Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR) spin valves as the read-head because the GMR effect is currently the most sensitive way to detect magnetic fields at submicron length scales and data rates of {approximately equal} 10^8 Hz. At present, hard-disk capacities are doubling approximately every year. To maintain this growth rate, GMR values will have to double approximately every two years. To achieve such GMR values, major progress will have to be made in controlling surface and interface effects in the growth of GMR valves.

Citation

Progress in Surface Science

Volume

67

Issue

No. 1-8

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

capacity, giant magnetoresistance, hard disks, spin valves

Citation

Egelhoff, W. , Chen, P. , Powell, C. , McMichael, R. and Stiles, M. (2001), Surface and Interface Effects in the Growth of Giant Magnetoresistance Spin Valves for Ultrahigh-Density Data-Storage Applications, Progress in Surface Science (Accessed October 11, 2025)