Co/Cu/Co pseudo spin-valve system prepared by magnetron sputtering with different argon pressure

Thin Co films were fabricated by DC magnetron sputtering. The effect of argon pressure on the microstructure, surface morphology and magnetic properties of the samples was systematically studied. It was found that with the increase of argon pressure, the sharpness of the crystalline texture of the samples declines, the roughness of film surfaces and the coercivity of the films increase. Based on these results, a Co/Cu/Co pseudo spin-valve system was designed and the corresponding structures were fabricated. The difference in coercivity of magnetic layers was obtained by deposition of the Co layers at different Ar pressures. Change of the resistance of this trilayer is induced at a moderate field by the spin rotation in the soft layer with lower coercivity. © 2015 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland