Composition of magnetic layer and magnetotransport properties of electrodeposited layered nanostructures (Co-Cu)/Cu and (Ni-Co-Cu)/Cu

The magnetotransport characteristics of Co-Ni-Cu layered coatings containings 100 nanobilayers were measured at room temperature in a magnetic field of ±5 kOe. The coatings were deposited onto nickel sputtered on glass. It is shown that a decrease in the content of copper in the magnetic layer due to the conversion of copper ions in the solution into the multi-charge anionic complexes (by the example of sulfosalicylate electrolyte) leads to an increase in the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect. The stabilization of composition of Co-based magnetic layer by shifting the copper deposition potential to the equilibrium potential of Co or by introducing Ni, which assists the deposit passivation, leads to a decrease of the GMR effect. A benefit effect of partial dissolution of Co at the deposition potentials of nonmagnetic layer on the magnetotransport characteristics of multilayered coatings is first revealed. It is supposed that the effect is caused by the morphological factor of surface smoothing due to preferential dissolution of projecting areas of magnetic layer.