Low-frequency noise in NiFe/Cu spin-valves

We report one of the first observations of low-frequency noise of NiFe/Cu spin-valves. Although the observed noise is very low in comparison to multilayer systems, it is typically concentrated in the linear response region where such devices are expected to operate. Increased noise is also associated with Barkhausen jumps in the magnetoresistance trace. In devices one micrometer high, structures start to appear in the noise spectra as a perturbation to the simple 1/f-like noise observed in larger devices.