Magnetic and Electrical (GMR) Properties of Rh(IrMn)/Co/Cu/Ni(Py) Multilayered Thin Films

The magnetic and magnetoresistance properties of multilayered structures consisting of two different combinations of magnetic and nonmagnetic IrMn, Co, Cu, Ni, Py thin layers were studied in the temperature range of 10–300 K. Thin films were prepared by using conventional magnetic sputtering techniques in ultra-high vacuum conditions. The structural characterization was examined by X-ray reflectivity. Magnetic and electrical properties were studied by conventional dc magnetization and 4-probe resistivity measurements. A close relationship between magneto resistivity and the relative behavior of magnetic hysteresis of adjacent magnetic layers was observed. Very abrupt stepwise changes at coercive field regions of the soft magnetic layers were attributed to the so-called giant magnetoresistance effect at low temperatures in both combinations of the layers.