Structure and Magnetoresistance Effect of [Fe(Ni)/Cu] Multilayers

Abstract

The relationship between the magnetoresistance effect and the direction of the magnetic moment on [bcc-Fe(Ni)/ Cu] multilayers has been studied. The MR ratio exhibits a maximum at 16Å Fe(Ni) layer thickness, and the in-plane lattice constant of Fe(Ni) is expanded. The magnetic moment is considered to be stabilized in the plane due to the positive magnetostriction λ₁₀₀. The direction of the in-plane magnetic moment is analyzed on the basis of the magnetization curve including uniaxial anisotropy energy and magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy. The MR effect is roughly proportional to cos ξ(where ξ is the relative angle of the adjacent Fe(Ni) layer moment).