Study of the different magnetoresistance sources in Ag/Co multilayers

• Published in: Journal of physics. Condensed matter Vol. 15; no. 7; pp. 1071 - 1079
• Main Authors: Paje, S E, Arranz, M A, Andrés, J P, Riveiro, J M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 26.02.2003; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Domain effects, magnetization curves, and hysteresis; Exact sciences and technology; Giant magnetoresistance; Interfacial magnetic properties (multilayers, magnetic quantum wells, superlattices, magnetic heterostructures); Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers; Magnetization curves, hysteresis, Barkhausen and related effects; Magnetization curves, magnetization reversal, hysteresis, barkhausen and related effects; Magnetotransport phenomena, materials for magnetotransport; Physics; Magnetization; Ferromagnetic materials; Magnetic hysteresis; Giant magnetoresistance; Low field; Experimental study; Cobalt; Granular structure; Thickness; Interfaces; Silver; Multilayers; Anisotropy; Transition elements; Magnetic structure
• ISSN: 0953-8984; 1361-648X
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/15/7/305

We report results on magnetoresistance and magnetic properties of sputtered Ag/Co multilayers and their relation to structural properties. We found two components of the magnetoresistance: isotropic and anisotropic. The first one is found to be related to cobalt particles at the interfaces between magnetic and nonmagnetic layers and also to cobalt particles diluted into the silver layers. The other contribution is related to ferromagnetic multidomain Co layers. The results on magnetoresistance and magnetization at low fields, and conductivity measurements, give clear proof of a transition from granular to continuous structure of the magnetic layer. For example, in a Ag/Co multilayer series with silver thickness of 20 A, such a transition occurs for a cobalt thickness around 5 A.