Interface Engineering of GMR Multilayers and Exchange-Biased Spin-Valves Using Ag as a Surface Modifier

Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) type Co-Cu multilayers and exchange-biased spin-valve (EBSV) type Co-Cu-Co tri-layers are fabricated by sputtering with a thin layer of Ag inserted between Co and Cu as a surface modifier (SM). Their magnetoresistances (MR) are measured in both current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) and current-in-plane (CIP) configurations. In all situations, the size of the MR change decreases as the Ag SM is introduced, and the effect is interface related