Low-field giant magnetoresistance in layered magnetic rings

The low-field magnetization reversal of NiFe∕Cu∕Co multilayer mesoscopic elliptical and circular rings has been investigated via magnetoresistance measurements and micromagnetic modeling. Minor loop measurements, in which the NiFe layer is cycled for a fixed Co layer configuration, show qualitatively different behavior depending on whether the Co layer is present in a vortex or an onion state. Micromagnetic simulations are in excellent agreement with the experimental data and confirm the dominant role played by magnetostatic interactions between the Co and NiFe layers, as a result of stray fields from the domain walls present in the layers. Multiple stable remanent resistance levels can be obtained by cycling the rings at modest fields.