Spin valves with interlayer coupling domain biasing

Spin valves with structure of sub/Ta/NiFe/FeMn/NiFe/Mo/NiFe/Cu/NiFe/CrMnPt/Ta were developed. In this configuration, a longitudinal-biasing field from interlayer coupling stabilized the magnetic domains of the free layer. Planar Hall effect was used to study the magnetization reversal process of the free layer. It was shown that by adjusting the thickness of Mo layer, the interlayer coupling biasing field can provide domain stabilization and was sufficiently strong to constrain the magnetization in coherent rotation. This can prevent Barkhausen noises associated with magnetization reversal. Such a spin valve sensor structure is particularly attractive for high density read heads. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.