Applications of exchange-biased Co/Pt multilayers in spin valves with perpendicular magnetization

We study the applicability of perpendicular exchange-biased Co/Pt multilayers as a reference layer in magnetic spin valves. We specifically focus on spin valves with IrMn-biased and perpendicular synthetic antiferromagnetic structures. The spin valves were deposited by dc magnetron sputtering through a metal shadow mask onto 500 nm thick silicon dioxide films. The shadow mask defined Hall bars with a line width of 200 micrometer. No magnetic field was applied during growth. Field annealing experiments were conducted in a vacuum furnace, which was placed in a 0.8 T permanent magnet.