Magnetic and Structural Properties of CoFeZr Alloy Films and Magnetoresistive Properties of Spin Valves Incorporating Amorphous CoFeZr Layer

Magnetic and structural properties of CoFeZr alloy films as a function of Zr concentration and magnetoresistive properties of spin valves incorporated with amorphous CoFeZr alloy films have been studied. Magnetization and coercivity of CoFeZr alloy films decreased as the Zr content increased. A single amorphous CoFeZr phase was formed when the Zr content is about above 18 at%. Magnetoresistance ratio and exchange coupling field of spin valves with amorphous CoFeZr were reduced slightly as compared with spin valves with CoFe because the resistance of amophous CoFeZr is higher than that of crystalline CoFe. However, the of spin valves with amorphous CoFeZr was improved due to reduction of current shunting.