Large magnetoresistance in an amorphous ${\mathrm{Co}}_{68.1}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{4.4}$${\mathrm{Si}}_{12.5}$${\mathrm{B}}_{15}$ ferromagnetic wire

Magnetoresistance and magnetization of an amorphous ferromagnetic wire having nominal composition ${\mathrm{Co}}_{68.1}$ ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{4.4}$ ${\mathrm{Si}}_{12.5}$ ${\mathrm{B}}_{15}$ are measured from 77 to 300 K and in the presence of tensile stress σ (0≤σ≤240 MPa). A large negative magnetoresistance is observed with accompanying hysteresis. The maximum change in resistance that occurs at small field increases from 8.8% at σ=0 to 12.2% at σ=240 MPa; this occurs at 300 K but the change is much reduced with the decrease of temperature. The results are discussed in terms of the scattering of carriers by a domain wall and it is suggested that the magnetization reversal is mainly due to coherent rotation.