Giant magnetoresistance in electrodeposited Co-Ag granular films

We report on the electrodeposition of Co-Ag granular films with GMR from a chloride-based electrolyte. Two different electrochemical techniques (chronoamperometry and pulse plating) were used to prepare the films. Both electrochemical and TEM analysis have revealed the heterogeneity of the as-deposited samples. GMR values up to 7% at room temperature were measured. The longitudinal (LMR) and transverse (TMR) magnetoresistance were practically indistinguishable indicative of real granular systems. An appropriate numerical analysis of the magnetoresistance curves showed high superparamagnetic contribution to the total MR. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved