Role of the Tb/Co70Fe30 Interface in the Free Layer of a Giant Magnetoresistance Spin-valve Structure

Abstract

We investigated the effect of the Tb/CoFe interface in the free layer of a giant magnetoresistance spin-valve structure on the magnetoresistance ratio and the magnetic properties by varying the thickness of Tb and CoFe layers. The multilayers, consisting of rare-earth metal and transition metal, showed a perpendicular anisotropy or in-plane anisotropy due to the thickness of each layer. In this study, we studied the spin valve with in-plane anisotropy and found that the magnetoresistance ratio and the magnetic properties could be manipulated by varying the thicknesses of the Tb and the CoFe layers.