Giant magnetoresistance multilayers of high thermal stability with thicker magnetic layers

The problem of poor thermal stability in NiFeCo/Cu multilayers can be resolved by utilizing thicker magnetic layers than those giving optimum giant magnetoresistance (GMR), in the as-deposited state. This type of structure exhibits very little GMR in the as-deposited state, but upon appropriate post-deposition anneal, produces huge improvements in GMR magnitude and sensitivity. The described technique provides an improvement necessary for retaining the magnetic properties of the multilayers at temperatures that would be encountered in the fabrication and operation of GMR held sensors. (C) 1996 American Institute of physics.