Fabrication and magnetotransport properties of ordered sub-100nm pseudo-spin-valveelement arrays.

We prepared ordered sub-100nm pseudo-spin-valve (PSV) element arrays byelectrodeposition of NiFe/Cu/Co into the pores of self-organized nanoporous anodizedaluminium templates. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy reveals thatthe sub-100nm PSV arrays, of uniform size, are well separated and exhibit aperfect two-dimensional array with a hexagonal pattern. The easy-axis hysteresisloops show two distinct steps related to the separate reversal of soft (NiFe) andhard (Co) layers. The switching fields of the PSV arrays are approximately−50Oe for the NiFe and 570Oe for the Co. The dependence of the magnetoresistance on the Cuspacer layer thickness indicates the presence of an oscillatory interlayer exchange couplingthrough the Cu layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]