Enhancement of Giant Magnetoresistance in NiCoFe/Cu/Co with a Ag Capping Layer Prepared by Sputtering

Abstract
Enhancement of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in NiCoFe/Cu/Co with the addition of Cu/Ag capping layers prepared by sputtering on Si(001) single crystal substrates with Cu buffer layer was observed. This enhancement of magnetoresistance (MR) ratio may be attributed to the specular scattering of conduction electrons at the surface of the Ag capping layer. The dependence of the MR ratio on the Ag capping layer thickness was visible in the broad peaks at around t(Ag)=2 nm.