Novel synthetic ferrimagnet pinned layers with spin blocking layers for metallic CPP spin valves requiring high pinning-field and output

A pinned layer structure for current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) spin valves that enhances magnetoresistance change (/spl Delta/RA) effectively without changing other layers is shown. It was found that spin blocking layers in the pinned layers increase /spl Delta/RA by decreasing the cancellation of the spin-dependent bulk resistance without significant drop of exchange pinning field.