Prediction and measurement of perpendicular giant magnetoresistances of Co/Cu/Ni84Fe16/Cu multilayers

Abstract

We show that a simple two-current model gives good predictions of the low-temperature perpendicular (CPP) specific resistances, ${\mathit{AR}}_{\mathit{t}}$ (A=sample area, ${\mathit{R}}_{\mathit{t}}$=sample resistance), of sputtered Co/Cu/Py/Cu (Py=${\mathrm{Ni}}_{84}$ ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{16}$≊permalloy) multilayers with neighboring Co and Py layers in well-defined parallel (P) or antiparallel (AP) magnetic states, using only parameters derived without adjustment from prior measurements on Co/Cu and Py/Cu multilayers.