Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Giant magnetoresistance (GMR), structure, and magnetic properties of sputtered (Co90Fe10 X Å/Ag Y Å) multilayer films have been investigated. Distinct GMR behaviors including granulartype (GGMR) and ‘discontinuous’ (DGMR) are observed which are strongly dependent on the individual CoFe and Ag layer thicknesses; however, standard multilayer GMR and the associated antiferromagnetic (AFM) coupling is absent. The multilayer structure, individual layer thicknesses, and growth texture were investigated using high and low angle x-ray diffraction (HXRD & LXRD).