LIMITATIONS OF MAGNETORESISTIVE SENSORS BASED ON THE GIANT MAGNETORESISTIVE EFFECT IN GRANULAR MAGNETIC COMPOSITES

The giant magnetoresistive effect recently observed in thin film composites of ferromagnetic particles imbedded in a nonmagnetic metallic matrix offers the possibility that new magnetoresistive sensors can be fabricated using these structures. Here we consider the effects of particle size and shape, magnetocrystalline anisotropy and temperature on the performance and sensitivity of such devices. For the sensitivity required in read elements of high-performance magnetic heads, severe constraints on the choice of ferromagnetic material and particle size and shape are required.