Comparison of DSV, BSV and TSV spin valves in CPP geometry

Abstract

Summary form only given. Spin valves in the current perpendicular to plane (CPP) configuration are believed to offer increased reader sensitivity for higher areal density magnetic recording. The performance of different types of conventional spin valves in the CPP geometry has been investigated. Dual spin valves (DSVs), top spin valves (TSVs) and bottom spin valves (BSVs) have been built using PtMn as a pinning layer and CoFe as the free layer. Measurements were carried out on the spin valves of different sizes sandwiched between two copper electrodes. The bottom electrode was planarised by chemical mechanical polishing.