Effects of Ni buffer layer on giant magnetoresistance in Co/Cu/Co sandwich

In order to increase the sensitivity of Co/Cu/Co sandwiches, different thickness Ni layers were used as buffer layer. It was found that in the Co 55 Å/Cu 35 Å/Co 55 Å sandwiches with different thickness Ni buffer layers, MR ratios between 3.5% and 5.6% could be obtained, and the coercive forces were about 12 Oe. Hence, the maximum field sensitivity could be enhanced to about 1%/Oe. Further investigation from the results of atomic force microscopy showed the improvement of the interfacial flatness in the sandwiches with Ni buffer layer. The microstructure observed by high-resolution electron microscope demonstrated the different structure of the two Co layers in the Ni buffered sandwich, which directly determined the small saturation field of the sandwich. This was confirmed by the magnetic behaviors of the two Co layers calculated from the experimental hysteresis loops. All these showed that the usage of a Ni buffer layer could result in interfacial improvement, different crystalline structure, and small saturation field in the Co/Cu/Co sandwich. These enhanced the electron spin scattering at the Co–Cu interfaces and finally enlarged the giant magnetoresistance and the sensitivity in the sandwich.     

Co/Cu92Mn8/Co结构中的低场巨磁电阻研究

对三明治结构的Co/Cu/Co和Co/Cu₉₂Mn₈/Co系列的巨磁电阻效应进行了研究,发现两者的巨磁电阻均随中介层厚度作周期性振荡,但是接近反相.作为与Co/Cu/Co系统的比较,发现若在Cu基中稀释Mn原子,巨磁电阻随外磁场变化的曲线会有非常大的改变,同时饱和场或开关场也有较大的下降,这意味着有可能为Co/Cu金属多层膜的巨磁电阻的实用化研究开辟出一条新的思路. 关键词：     

不同过渡层上Co/Cu/Co三明治结构的巨磁电阻效应研究

通过对不同过渡层上Co(5.5nm)/Cu(3.5nm)/Co(5.5nm)三明治结构的研究,发现过渡层的磁性及过渡层诱导的三明治晶格结构对材料的巨磁电阻效应有重要影响.反铁磁Cr过渡层由于和相邻铁磁Co层之间存在着反铁磁耦合,可以获得6％以上的巨磁电阻值,但它同时使材料的矫顽力较大,因此磁灵敏度不高.Ni和Ti过渡层上Co/Cu/Co三明治结构,由于形成了强的（111）织构,其巨磁电阻值也达到5％以上.磁性材料Ni过度层还使三明治结构材料的矫顽力大为下降,从而显著提高了材料的磁灵敏度. 关键词：     

Influence of superparamagnetic regions on the giant magnetoresistance of electrodeposited Co–Cu/Cu multilayers

The room-temperature magnetoresistance (MR) of electrodeposited Co–Cu/Cu multilayers was investigated. Samples were prepared on either a polycrystalline Ti foil or on a silicon wafer covered with a Ta buffer and a Cu-seed layer. The field dependence of the magnetoresistance was analyzed by decomposing the GMR into ferromagnetic (FM) and superparamagnetic (SPM) contributions, whereby the field dependence of the latter could be described by a Langevin function. In order to better understand the influence of the deposition conditions on the GMR in electrodeposited multilayers, the evolution of the relative importance of the two GMR contributions is discussed in terms of the Co dissolution process during the Cu deposition pulse.     

Giant Magnetoresistance and Coercivity of electrodeposited multilayered FeCoNi/Cu and CrFeCoNi/Cu

The effect of Cr addition on electrodeposited multilayered nanowires CrFeCoNi/Cu was investigated from a magnetic property perspective: current perpendicular to the plane-Giant Magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) and Coercivity (BH loops). The magnetic behavior of multilayered nanowires of CrFeNiCo/Cu was also affected by the alloy deposition potential, alloy pulsing time (layer thickness) and number of bilayers. Furthermore, the addition of Cr influenced both the nanowires GMR and Coercivity. Cr addition to the ferromagnetic FeCoNi layer induced a reduction in the room temperature GMR from 10.64% to 5.62%; however, the magnetic saturation field decreased from 0.45 to 0.27 T. The increase in the number of bilayers, from 1000 to 2500, resulted in a higher GMR value, 14.56% with 0.35 T magnetic saturation field. Addition of Cr to the ferromagnetic layer decreased the coercivity from 0.015 to 0.0054 T. Low saturation field CPP-GMR nanowires showing low coercivity at room temperature opens a new door for magnetic sensing devices. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on electrodeposited CrFeCoNi/Cu multilayered nanowires.     

The temperature dependence of the perpendicular giant magnetoresistance in Co/Cu multilayered nanowires

A theory, based on earlier work by Valet and Fert, is first presented to describe the influence of temperature on the perpendicular giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in multilayers. Then we present GMR measurements performed at T=77 K and at room temperature on Co/Cu multilayered nanowires with layer thicknesses ranging from a few nm to 1 μm. We use our model to obtain a good quantitative fit to the experimental results in both the short spin diffusion length limit and out of this limit. We discuss the temperature dependence of the bulk parameters, the scattering spin asymmetry coefficient and spin diffusion length in the Co layers. Received: 25 January 1998 / Accepted: 6 May 1998     

Curie temperature oscillations and critical phenomena in Co/Cu multilayer films

A study is made of Co/Cu multilayer structures with ultrathin Co layers. Oscillations of the saturation magnetization and Curie temperature as a function of the thickness of the intermediate Cu conducting layer are observed. The behavior of the magnetization near the second-order phase transition is studied, and the critical exponents of the magnetization are determined. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 64, No. 5, 341–345 (10 September 1996)     

Enhancement of magnetoresistance sensitivity in Co/Cu/NiFe trilayers by softening the Co hard layer

Co/Cu/NiFe trilayers were prepared by sputtering without magnetic field applied. We have found that the Co(2 nm)Cu(1 nm)NiFe(2 nm) trilayer using Ta as buffer layer exhibits an enhanced magnetoresistance (MR) sensitivity by a factor of more than 6 and a low saturation field of 9.3 Oe. Experimental results have demonstrated that the low saturation field is attributed to the softening of the Co layer by depositing the Co(2 nm)Cu(1 nm)NiFe(2 nm) sandwich on Ta layer. The decrease of the coercivity of the Co layer also plays an important role in the enhancement of MR sensitivity by reducing the effective coercivity of the NiFe layer, which is discussed in terms of the change in interlayer coupling.     

Effect of the structural quality of the buffer on the magnetoresistance and the exchange coupling in sputtered Co/Cu sandwiches

The effect of the structural quality of the buffer stack on the structural properties, giant magnetoresistance (GMR) and the quality of the antiferromagnetic coupling has been investigated for Co/Cu/Co sandwiches prepared by DC-magnetron sputtering. Three kinds of buffers were employed: type A: Cr(6 nm)/Co(0.8 nm)/Cu(10 nm), type B: Fe(6 nm)/Co(0.8 nm)/Cu(10 nm) and type C: Cr(4 nm)/Fe(3 nm)/Co(0.8 nm)/Cu(10 nm). For B and C type buffers, the antiferromagnetic alignment is very interesting at zero field with a coupling strength larger than 0.4 erg/cm² and a GMR signal reaching 5% at room temperature. However, for the A type buffer the antiferromagnetic coupling completely disappears, while the GMR drops to about 0.8%. X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy have been performed in order to understand the origin of the observed difference in the magnetic properties. The results show a strong difference in the average surface roughness, 1.15 nm and 0.35 nm, respectively for the A and C types buffers, and demonstrate that the quality of the surface of the buffer is the key to optimize both the GMR and the indirect exchange coupling. Received 11 July 2000     

Magnetic and magnetotransport properties in Co5Cu95 melt-spun alloys

Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) has been observed in Co₅Cu₉₅ alloys fabricated by melt-spinning. The highest MR change of 28.0% occurs for Co₅Cu₉₅ after annealing at 450°C for 30 min. Based on the super-paramagnetic assumption, the average size of Co particles embedded in Cu matrix, ranging from 3.0 to 6.0 nm, has been determined by simulating the magnetization curves at 295 K which is higher than the blocking temperatures for the samples. Comparison with phenomenological theory for GMR indicates that the interfacial spin-dependent scattering is the dominant scattering mechanism underlying GMR origin in granular systems. Additionally, for the samples in as-quenched state or annealed at temperatureT _A=350°C, the electron hybridization and super-paramagnetic behaviors of fine Co particles may be responsible for the low value of MR change.     

Electronic and magnetic properties of multishell Co nanowires coated with Cu

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of ultrathin Cu-coated Co nanowires have been studied by using empirical genetic algorithm simulations and a tight-binding spd model Hamiltonian in the unrestricted Hartree-Fock approximation. For some specific stoichiometric compositions, Cu atoms occupy the surface, while Co atoms prefer to stay in the interior, forming the perfect coated multishell structures. The outer Cu layers lead to substantial variations in the magnetic moment of interior Co atoms, depending on the structure and thickness of Cu layers. In particular, single Co atom row at the center of nanowire is found to be nonmagnetic when coated with two Cu layers. All the other Co nanowires in the coated Cu shell are still magnetic but the magnetic moments are reduced as compared with Co nanowires without Cu coating. The interaction between Cu and Co atoms induces nonzero magnetic moment for Cu atoms.     

Effect of the crystal structure and interlayer exchange coupling on the coercive force in Co/Cu/Co films

Co/Cu/Co/Si(111) trilayer films prepared by magnetron sputtering with different thicknesses of the Cu buffer were studied. The magnitude of the coercive force was shown to oscillate with variation of the nonmagnetic-buffer thickness. A good correlation between the saturation field and the coercive force was established. It was experimentally revealed that modification of the film structure by annealing within a broad temperature range affects the indirect exchange coupling between the Co layers. A qualitative analysis of the coercive-force behavior under variation of the strength and type of the ferromagnetic-layer coupling was performed.     

X-ray magnetic circular dichroism study of the induced spin polarization of Cu in Co/Cu and Fe/Cu multilayers

We present an x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) study of Co/Cu and Fe/Cu multilayers, finding that the Cu atoms in these structures exhibit an induced magnetic moment in the d shell. The average Cu spin moment is shown to fall-off inversely with the thickness of the Cu layer. Further, for comparable Cu layer thicknesses, the Cu moments in Fe/Cu and Co/Cu multilayers are found to be nearly equal, despite the fact that the Cu layers in the Co/Cu multilayers are shown to be fee while those in the Fe/Cu structures are bcc. These observations suggest that the induced moment is primarily situated at the Co/Cu and Fe/Cu interfaces and is resultant from short range chemical hybridization between the ferromagnetic and Cu atoms. Results from a local spin density functional theory are presented and found to be in excellent agreement with experimental observations. These results indicate that the Cu d electrons play a central role in mediating the exchange coupling between successive ferromagnetic layers.     

NMR studies of interfaces,strain and anisotropy in Co/Cu multilayers

⁵⁹Co NMR studies of multilayers are able to give three direct pieces of information: (i) the crystal phase of Co, fcc (217.4 MHz), hcp (220–228 MHz) and in exotic cases bcc (198 MHz) for films measured at T= 4.2 K, (ii) the nature of the interfaces from low frequency satellite lines, and (iii) the strain state deduced from small changes in the line positions. Extensive studies of Co/Cu multilayer interfacial structures as a function of deposition technique, layer thickness, substrate/buffer layer structure and annealing temperature have been undertaken. This work has shed new light on the relationship between interfacial structure and magnetoresistance and in particular has demonstrated that flat, atomic scale, interfaces lead to greater magnetoresistance. The difference between the Co and Cu lattice constant results in an extensive, tensile in-plane strain developing in Co layers provided that some epitaxial registry is present. Information on strain effects can be obtained from the position and width of the NMR lines. The magnetic anisotropy field can be determined by measuring the field dependence of the enhancement effect due to electronic magnetisation. This provides unique insight into the distribution of magnetic anisotropy within the Co layers, as the enhancement can be investigated independently for each NMR line and, hence, provides environment specific information on magnetic anisotropy at the interfaces and in the interior of the layers. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Annealing effects and degradation mechanism of NiFe/Cu GMR multilayers

Structural, transport and magnetic properties of sputtered Ni₈₀Fe₂₀/Cu multilayers showing giant magnetoresistance (GMR) were studied using X-ray reflectometry and diffraction, transport measurements, ferromagnetic resonance (FMR), and magneto-optical Kerr effect. In particular, mechanisms of the GMR degradation at elevated temperatures were investigated. Multilayers with an individual layer thickness of 2 nm show a sharp drop of the GMR after annealing at about 250°C. Whereas below this temperature grain growth and defect reduction contribute to a partial improvement of the GMR, above ∼250°C interdiffusion between Ni and Cu appears to lead to layer intermixing and to the degradation of transport and magnetic properties. Moreover, the initial 〈1 1 1〉 texture sharpens, and strong tensile stresses arise in the layer stack. We correlated the structural alterations to changes in the magnetic properties such as the strength of the antiferromagnetic coupling (bilinear and biquadratic) and the magnetic anisotropy. Above 250°C an increasing magnetic inhomogeneity of the Permalloy layers can be inferred from the FMR linewidth broadening.     

Co/Cu multilayers studied by using the119Sn probe

To observe spin polarization in nonmagnetic layers sandwiched by magnetic layers,¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectra of [Co(20 Å)/Cu(20-x Å)/¹¹⁹Sn(1.5 Å)/Cu(x Å)] (x=0, 5 and 10) multilayers were measured. A magnetic fraction is observed in every spectrum, and the average hyperfine field ¯H _f at Sn nuclei in a Cu layer changes from 14 kOe (x=0) to 8 kOe (x=10). It was also observed that the polarization is greatly reduced by adding a Cr layer of only 2 Å to the Co/Cu interfaces. The spectrum of thex=10 film, measured under an external field of 30 kOe, cannot be interpreted without assuming magnetic fractions both in parallel and antiparallel to the external field, which indicates an oscillation of spin polarization in a Cu layer.     

Shape and thickness effects on the magnetization reversal of Py/Cu/Co nanostructures

We present an experimental investigation of the magnetization reversal process in NiFe/Cu(10 nm)/Co circular and elliptical nano-elements with different thickness of the magnetic layers. The results obtained using element sensitive X-ray resonant magnetic scattering (XRMS) were compared with the previous measurements showing that the dipolar interlayer coupling favours the antiparallel alignment of the two magnetization layers at remanance. In the case of circular shape, the increased thickness of the ferromagnetic layers stabilizes the antiparallel alignment of the layers over a wider field range. A similar effect, accompanied by a delay in the onset of the antiparallel alignment, is observed in the case of elliptical nano-elements and applying the external field along the longer axis of the elements, due to the additional shape anisotropy.     

Selective removal and patterning of a Co/Cu/Co trilayer created by femtosecond laser processing

The selective removal and patterning of a typical pseudo-spin-valve structure, consisting of a Co(20 nm)/ Cu(6 nm)/Co(3 nm) trilayer, by femtosecond laser has been examined in terms of irradiation parameters and layer structure. Ablation thresholds of the individual Co and Cu thin films and the SiO₂/Si substrate have been measured for single-shot irradiation with a 200 femtosecond (fs) laser pulses of a Ti:sapphire laser operating at 775 nm. Ablation of the entire trilayer structure was characterized by a sequential removal of the layers at a threshold level of fluence of 0.28 J/cm². Atomic Force Microscopy, optical microscopy, profilometry and Sputtered Neutral Mass Spectroscopy were employed to characterize the laser-induced single-shot laser selective removal and patterned areas. As a result, two phenomena were found to characterize the laser process: (i) selective removal of the Co and Cu layer due to the change of the laser fluence and (ii) regular pillars’ area of Co/Cu/Co could be achieved in a regular manner with the lowest pillar width size of 1.5 μm. Ablation through the layers was accompanied by the formation of bulges at the edges of the pillars, which was the biggest inconvenience in lowering the pillar size through the femtosecond laser process.     

Study of Co thin films deposited on low-index Cu surfaces by photoemission electron microscopy

The domain structures of Co ultrathin film prepared with μm- and mm-dimension laterally were acquired and compared using X-ray Photoemission Electron Microscope (PEEM). Through depositing the Co film with different thickness on two copper single-crystal surfaces; Cu(1 0 0) and Cu(1 1 0), we report the impacts of thin film lateral dimensions, crystal orientations, and film thickness to the domain structures of Co layer.     

在Pd/Cu(100)表面上外延的超薄Co膜的结构和磁性

利用脉冲激光溅射(PLD)和分子束外延(MBE)方法制备了超薄膜系统 Co/Pd/Cu(100).脉冲激 光溅射生长的单原子Pd层呈现了很好的二维生长模式.在这个Pd表面上，分子束外延生长的C o层直至12个原子层都表现了层-层生长模式.利用俄歇电子谱(AES)和低能电子衍射(LEED)研 究了该系统的表面结构.利用低温磁光克效应(MOKE)研究了系统的磁学性质.结构研究表明， Co层由于面内晶格失配应力而具有一个四方正交结构；与对比样品Co/Cu(100)的比较研究说 明Pd层的存在强烈地改善了Co膜的起始生长模式和结构.磁光克效应测量表明，Pd层的存在 改变了Co层的磁学性质. 关键词： 薄膜的磁性质 组织与形貌 界面磁性