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STM Studies of GMR Spin Valves

Published

Author(s)

R Misra, T Ha, Y Kadmon, Cedric J. Powell, Mark D. Stiles, Robert McMichael

Abstract

We have investigated the surface roughness and the grain size in giant magnetoresistance (GMR) spin valve multilayers of the general type: FeMn/Ni80Fe20/Co/Cu/Co/Ni80 Fe20 on glass and aluminum oxide substrates by scannin tunneling microscopy (STM). The two substrates give very similar results. These polycrystalline GMR multilayers have a tendency to exhibit larger grain size and increased roughness with increasing thickness of the metal layers. Samples deposited at a low substrate temperature (150K) exhibit smaller grains and less roughness. Valleys between the dome-shaped individual grainsare the dominant form of roughness. This roughness contributes to the ferromagnetic, magnetostatic coupling in these films, an effect termed " orange peel" coupling by Neacute}el. We have calculated the strength of this coupling, based on our STM images, and obtain values generally within about 20% of the experimental values. It appears likely that the ferromagnetic coupling generally attributed to so-called "pinholes" in the Cu when the Cu film thickness is too small is actually "orange peel" coupling caused by these valleys.
Proceedings Title
Materials Research Society Symposium Proceeding
Volume
384
Conference Dates
April 17-21, 1995
Conference Location
San Francisco, CA, US
Conference Title
Materials Research Society Symposium

Citation

Misra, R. , Ha, T. , Kadmon, Y. , Powell, C. , Stiles, M. and McMichael, R. (1995), STM Studies of GMR Spin Valves, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceeding, San Francisco, CA, US, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=620459 (Accessed October 12, 2024)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact reflib@nist.gov.

Created December 31, 1994, Updated October 12, 2021