Giant magnetoresistance in Fe/Mo multilayers formed by magnetron sputtering

Fe/Mo multilayers have been prepared by magnetron sputtering. Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) has been found in the samples with an antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling. The magnetoresistance (MR) ratio exceeds 12% at 4.2 K, and it oscillates as a function of Mo spacer thickness. The oscillation period is about 10–12 Å, which is consistent with the case of the reported Kerr effect. The results suggest that the presence of antiferromagnetic coupling and the absence of GMR are the result of the sharp interfaces, and that relatively rough interfaces and moderately thin Fe layer thickness are the key factors for enhancing MR in the sputtered films.