EFFECTS OF FE BUFFER LAYER THICKNESS ON MAGNETORESISTANCE IN NI-FE/CU MULTILAYERS

We present the magnetoresistance and film structure in Ni-Fe/Cu multilayers depend on the Fe buffer layer thickness. With 5-8 nm thick Fe buffer layers, the multilayers have [100] preferred orientations and show high magnetoresistance ratios. On the other hand, when the thickness is 0-4 or 9-10 nm, they have [111] preferred orientations and show low magnetoresistance ratios. The Fe buff er layer thickness affects the preferred orientation, furthermore the preferred orientation strongly correlates to the MR ratio.