Experimental study of magnetization reversal processes in nonsymmetric spin valve

Abstract

We have investigated a nonsymmetric bottom giant magnetoresistance spin valve with the structure Si/NiO/Co/Cu/Co/Ta, as well as single ferromagnetic Co layers on antiferromagnetic NiO, with or without a nonmagnetic Cu spacer. Magnetic hysteresis loops have been measured by SQUID magnetometry, and magnetic domain structures have been imaged using an advanced magneto-optical indicator film (MOIF) technique. The MOIF technique demonstrated that the first stage of magnetization reversal is characterized by nucleation of many microdomains. With increasing reversed field, the domain walls move over small distances (5–20 μm) until annihilation. The domain size was observed to increase with the thickness of the Co layer. When an alternating magnetic field was applied, the domain structure was dramatically changed.