Exchange coupling and magnetoresistance in CoFe/NiCu/CoFe spin valves near the Curie point of the spacer

• Thermal control of exchange coupling between two strongly ferromagnetic layers through a weakly ferromagnetic Ni-Cu spacer and the associated magnetoresistance is investigated. The spacer, having a Curie point slightly above room temperature, can be cycled between its paramagnetic and ferromagnetic states by varying the temperature externally or using joule heating. It is shown that the giant magnetoresistance vanishes due to a strong reduction in the mean free path in the spacer at above similar to 30% Ni concentration-before the onset of ferromagnetism. Finally, a device is proposed which combines thermally controlled exchange coupling and large magnetoresistance by separating the switching and the readout elements.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

NI-CU ALLOYS

ELECTRICAL-RESISTIVITY

MAGNETIC MULTILAYERS

MOMENTS

MEMORY

NICKEL

LAYERS

Physics

Fysik

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