Abstract
In order to enhance the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensitivity in a Co/Cu/Co sandwich, an Ni layer was used as a buffer layer in this paper. It was found that in the Co 55 Å/Cu 35 Å/Co 55 Å sandwich without a buffer layer, the MR ratio was less than 1%, and its coercive force was at about 20 Oe, while in the same structure sandwiches with different thicknesses of Ni buffer layers, MR ratios between 3.5 and 5.6% were obtained, and the coercive forces were found at a value of about 12 Oe. Hence, the best field sensitivity could be improved to about 1% Oe-1. Further investigation indicated that the coercivities of the two Co layers were almost the same in the Co/Cu/Co sandwich without a buffer layer. Due to the usage of the Ni buffer layer, the difference between the coercivities of the Co layers was enlarged. The results from atomic force microscopy also showed improvement of the interfacial flatness in the Ni buffered sandwiches. All these resulted in larger GMR effect and increased sensitivity.
Published Version
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