GIANT MAGNETORESISTANCE AND LOW MAGNETOSTRICTION IN DISCONTINUOUS NiFe/Ag MULTILAYER THIN FILMS

Magnetoresistance field sensitivity and magnetostriction were measured as a function of annealing temperature for NiFe/Ag multilayer systems displaying giant magnetoresistance. Key multilayer configurations such as number of NiFe/Ag bilayers and Ag spacer thickness were varied. A high giant magnetoresistance ratio up to 5% with zero magnetostriction and high magnetoresistance field sensitivity was possible to achieve simultaneously with optimal sample geometry and annealing condition.