Temperature dependence of the magnetoresistance in Co/Re superlattices onAl2O3(112¯0)

Using a patterned hcp [Co (17 Å)/Re $\left(7\mathrm{}\mathrm{\AA }\right){]}_{20}$ antiferromagnetically coupled superlattice, with the c axis in the film plane, magnetoresistance (MR) measurements were made in the temperature range between 5 K and room temperature. The MR was simulated and decomposed into its anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) and giant magnetoresistance (GMR) components using the magnetization as a function of angle determined from neutron reflectivity experiments. We find that the GMR is anisotropic and has a different temperature dependence than the AMR when $I\perp c$ and a similar dependence when $I\Vert c,$ where I is the applied current. This implies that interface spin-dependent scattering plays a more significant role when $I\perp c$ than when $I\Vert c.\mathrm{}$