Specular electron scattering in giant magnetoresistance spin valves

Specular scattering of electrons at the top surface of bottom spin valves has been found to contribute to the giant magnetoresistance effect. The specular scattering can be increased by the deposition of /spl sim/2 monolayers (ML) of Au, Ag, or Cu, with the result that the GMR increases and the R/sub /spl square// decreases. The deposition of 2 ML of species that disorder the surface, such as Ta, Si, C, or Ni/sub 80/Fe/sub 20/, suppresses the specular scattering. This suppression appears to be useful as a new method for evaluating the importance of specular scattering.