In-situ magnetoresistance measurements on spin valve elements combined with Lorentz transmission electron microscopy

Author

Portier, Xavier ; Petford-Long, Amanda K. ; Doole, Ron C. ; Anthony, Thomas C. ; Brug, James A.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Mater., Oxford Univ., UK

Volume

33

Issue

5

fYear

1997

fDate

9/1/1997 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

3574

Lastpage

3579

Abstract

In order to correlate giant magnetoresistance with changes in magnetic domain structure, we have studied lithographically-defined spin-valve elements in-situ by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, whilst simultaneously passing a controlled current through the element and applying a magnetic field. For a given current, the changes in magnetic domain structure can thus be correlated with changes in the resistance of the film. Spin valve structures with MnFe and MnNi pinning layers were examined land the technique proved particularly useful in identifying regions of the spin valve corrupted by corrosion of the pinning layer

Keywords

corrosion; ferromagnetic materials; giant magnetoresistance; iron alloys; magnetic multilayers; magnetoresistance; manganese alloys; nickel alloys; transmission electron microscopy; Lorentz transmission electron microscopy; MnFe; MnNi; corrosion; giant magnetoresistance; in-situ magnetoresistance; magnetic domain structure; pinning layers; spin valve elements; Circuits; Electrical resistance measurement; Giant magnetoresistance; Gold; Magnetic field measurement; Monitoring; Shape control; Spin valves; Substrates; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/20.619502

Filename

619502