(001) textured L1 0-FePt pseudo spin valve with TiN spacer

Abstract

TiN was investigated as a potential spacer material in L1 0-FePt based pseudo spin valves (PSV). PSVs with the structure MgO/L1 0-Fe 50Pt 50 (20 nm)/TiN (5 nm)/L1 0-Fe 50Pt 50 (x nm) were fabricated, where x was varied from 5 to 20 nm. The highest giant magnetoresistance (GMR) ratio of 0.61% was obtained for the PSV with a top L1 0-FePt thickness of 20 nm. Contributions to the GMR arose from both the spin dependent scattering at the FePt/TiN interfaces and domain wall resistivity. Magnon magnetoresistance was also observed in the fabricated PSVs. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.