Switching field interval of the sensitive magnetic layer in exchange-biased spin valves

The switching field interval, ΔHs, of Ni–Fe–Co-based thin films and spin-valve layered structures, sputter-deposited on a Ta-buffer layer, was studied. The switching field interval is the field range in which the magnetization reversal of a ferromagnetic layer takes place. In thin films, ΔHs is determined by the uniaxial anisotropy, induced by growth in a magnetic field. This anisotropy increases with the ferromagnetic layer thickness and saturates at a thickness of 10–25 nm. It also depends on the alloy composition as well as on the choice of the adjacent layers. In exchange-biased spin valves, an additional contribution to ΔHs was observed, which increases monotonically with increasing interlayer coupling. We explain this in terms of the effect on the magnetization reversal of the sensitive layer due to a simultaneous small, but temporary, magnetization rotation in the exchange-biased layer and lateral variations of the interlayer coupling. In addition, the effect of biquadratic coupling on ΔHs is discussed. Finally, the thermal stability of ΔHs is investigated.