Pseudo spin valve thin films with crossed magnetic anisotropies

A systematic analysis of both magnetic and magneto-transport properties is presented for a pseudo spin valve system consisting of two ferromagnets having crossed magnetic anisotropies and being separated by a Cu spacer. One ferromagnetic layer with perpendicular easy axis consists of a [Co/Pt] multilayer whereas the other ferromagnetic layer with in-plane easy axis is represented by a single Co layer. We investigated the influence of the magnetic reversal behavior and the related magneto-transport properties as a function of the Co layer thickness next to the Cu spacer layer. Furthermore, the Cu spacer layer thickness was varied in the [Co/Pt]3/Co/Cu/Co pseudo spin valve system, revealing a linear R(H) dependence and a room temperature GMR ratio up to 2% for a Cu layer thickness of 15 Å.