〈001〉 textured polycrystalline current-perpendicular-to-plane pseudo spin-valves using Co2Fe(Ga0.5Ge0.5) Heusler alloy

摘要

The orientation dependence of current-perpendicular-to-plane giant-magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) was investigated by fabricating 〈001〉 textured polycrystalline pseudo spin valves (PSVs) with Co2Fe(Ga0.5Ge0.5) (CFGG) Heusler alloy ferromagnetic layers and a Ag spacer. The PSV with 10 nm CFGG annealed at 400 °C exhibited the resistance-change area product (ΔRA) of 5.8 mΩ (MR ratio of 16%), the largest value reported for polycrystalline CPP-(P)SVs. The 〈001〉 textured CFGG PSV outperforms the 〈011〉 textured CFGG PSV possibly due to the reduced lattice mismatch or improved band matching at the CFGG/Ag interface.