Spin-flop states in a synthetic antiferromagnet and variations of unidirectional anisotropy in FeMn-based spin valves

Abstract

Spin valves with a synthetic antiferromagnet have been prepared by magnetron sputtering. Regularities of the formation of single- and two-phase spin-flop states in the synthetic antiferromagnet have been studied using magnetoresistance measurements and imaging the magnetic structure. A thermomagnetic treatment of spin valve in a field that corresponds to the single-phase spin-flop state of synthetic antiferromagnet was shown to allow us to obtain a magnetically sensitive material characterized by hysteresis-free field dependence of the magnetoresistance.