Fragmentation of cobalt layers in Co/Cu multilayers monitored by magnetic and magnetoresistive measurements

We have monitored the structural evolution of Co(t(Co))/Cu(4xt(Co)) multilayers when t(Co) ranges from 12 to 2 Angstrom. The investigation has been performed by studying their magnetization and giant magnetoresistance, since these properties are complementary in providing information about the structure of the magnetic species into the samples. In particular, in the intermediate range of thickness, we observed no correspondence between magnetic and magnetoresistive behavior. Finally, at sufficiently low thickness, the samples exhibit noninteracting superparamagnetic features. This kind of evolution has been ascribed to the progressive fragmentation of Co layers. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.