Thermal stability of Mn–Ir-based specular spin valve structure

We studied the thermal properties of specular and conventional spin valves. The specular spin valve showed better thermal properties (e.g. slow MR degradation and sheet resistance increment) than those of conventional spin valve. It is considered that the Mn–Co–Fe–O is formed in the NOL at 543–578 K and this acts as a diffusion barrier for Mn during high-temperature annealing process.