Magnetic properties of phase-separated (Ni/sub 80/Fe/sub 20/)/sub 1-x/Mn/sub x/ thin films

(Ni/sub 80/Fe/sub 20/)/sub 1-x/Mn/sub x/ alloy thin films were produced by codepositing Ni/sub 80/Fe/sub 20/ and Mn and annealed at 300(degree)C600(degree)C. In spite of the structural stability predicted by the bulk phase diagram and the interdiffusion evidences observed in the magnetic exchange couples, the (Ni/sub 80/Fe/sub 20/)/sub 1-x/Mn/sub x/ alloy films decomposed into Ni/sub 80/Fe/sub 20/ and Mn phases when annealed above 400(degree)C. The phase separated structure closely resembles those of magnetic granular alloys with a strong crystallographic texture. The phaseseparated alloys exhibit an inverse giant magnetoresistance as high as 0.5%.