Abstract
Polarized neutron reflectivity and scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis are combined to determine the magnetic structure of Co(6 nm)/Cu(6 nm) multilayers. These data resolve a controversy regarding the low-field state of giant-magnetoresistive (GMR) multilayers with weak coupling. As-prepared samples show a strong antiparallel correlation of in-plane ferromagnetic Co domains across the Cu. At the coercive field, the Co domains are uncorrelated. This irreversible transition explains the decrease in magnetoresistance from the as-prepared to the coercive state. For both states, the Co moments reside in domains with in-plane sizes of ⍈0.5–1.5μm.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2796-2799 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 82 |
Issue number | 13 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 1999 |