Title :
Effect of magnetostatic coupling between free and reference layers on the thermal stability of synthetic spin valves
Author :
Cho, Hae Seok ; Tang, Michael ; He, Qing ; Xue, Song S.
Author_Institution :
Seagate Technol., Minneapolis, MN, USA
fDate :
9/1/2000 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A relationship between initial ferromagnetic magnetostatic coupling strength (HF) and a long-term thermal stability of the spin valve (SSV) sensors was investigated. The thermal degradation in GMR properties of SV stacks is more apparent in the stack exhibiting a higher initial HF, and is expedited for the stacks without capping layers. Initial HF values appear to be one of the good indicators for the long-term thermal stability of SV stacks since they reflect the inter-layer microstructure of SV sensor stacks. The origin of HF is also discussed by comparing measured HF values with estimated ones
Keywords :
giant magnetoresistance; magnetic heads; spin valves; thermal stability; GMR properties; initial ferromagnetic magnetostatic coupling strength; inter-layer microstructure; long-term thermal stability; magnetic heads; reference layers; synthetic spin valves; thermal degradation; Couplings; Giant magnetoresistance; Magnetic anisotropy; Magnetic sensors; Magnetostatic waves; Microstructure; Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; Spin valves; Thermal sensors; Thermal stability;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
