(NI80CO20/CU) MULTILAYERS - GIANT MAGNETORESISTANCE WITH LOW SATURATION FIELD

We have observed giant magnetoresistance (MR) in Ni80Co20/Cu multilayers. Saturation magnetoresistance exceeding 16% and very well-defined oscillations in MR as a function of Cu spacer thickness are observed at room temperature with an oscillation period and phase quite similar to that found in other Cu-based multilayered systems. Of particular interest are the small saturation fields (H(S) < 120 Oe) for Cu thickness near the second peak (approximately 20 angstrom) which result in large MR field sensitivities up to 0.12%/Oe at room temperature.