Improving magnetoresistance characteristics by toppings

Often magnetoresistance characteristics of robust giant magnetoresistance multilayers are not ideal in all respects (e.g., signal amplitude, hysteresis and field offset). Sometimes this can be corrected by means of external biasing magnets; however, for most applications this is not desirable. We have developed a new concept, which provides a new degree of freedom to improve the characteristics of GMR (or TMR) multilayers by the use of toppings without the need for external components or extra materials. With this method offset compensation, hysteresis elimination and the combination of both have been experimentally demonstrated in exchange-biased spin valves.