DEPENDENCE OF GIANT MAGNETORESISTANCE ON THE THICKNESS OF MAGNETIC AND NON-MAGNETIC LAYERS IN DUAL SPIN VALVES

Abstract

Based on the previous semi-classical model, we have performed calculation of the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) as a function of the thickness of the top/bottom or center ferromagnetic layers and the non-magnetic layer in dual spin valves. Our results are in good agreement with that reported in experiment, i.e., a GMR maximum is observed when the thickness of the top/bottom magnetic layer is at 20 ~ 40 Å; the GMR value decreases monotonically with the increase of the non-magnetic layer thickness. By considering the "pin-hole" effect, the variation of GMR versus the thickness of the center magnetic layer is also found to be consistent with the experimental result. These calculations will be helpful in the design of high-quality spin-valve structures.