Title :
Thermal degradation of PtMn-pinned top spin valves
Author :
Cool, Stephen ; Brown, Heather ; Michel, Richard
Author_Institution :
Seagate Recording Heads, Minneapolis, MN, USA
fDate :
9/1/2000 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The microstructure and magnetic properties of PtMn-pinned top spin valves were studied at various annealing temperatures. Magnetic properties were observed to degrade with increasing temperature, with the exchange coupling H1 showing the fastest variation. The degradation did not appear to coincide with structural changes or large-stale diffusion. It will be shown that the results are consistent with the grain boundary diffusion degradation mechanism
Keywords :
annealing; exchange interactions (electron); giant magnetoresistance; grain boundary diffusion; manganese alloys; platinum compounds; spin valves; thermal stability; GMR; PtMn; annealing temperatures; exchange coupling; grain boundary diffusion degradation mechanism; magnetic properties; microstructure; pinned layers; thermal degradation; top spin valves; Annealing; Electrical resistance measurement; Extraterrestrial measurements; Giant magnetoresistance; Magnetic field measurement; Magnetostatics; Saturation magnetization; Spin valves; Temperature; Thermal degradation;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
