Comparison of hysteresis loops from giant magnetoresistance and magnetometry for perpendicular-current exchange-biased spin valves

Abstract

We compare for permalloy (Py)/Cu/Py or Py/Ag/Py exchange-biased spin valves, hysteresis loops of: (1) giant magnetoresistance (GMR) with current perpendicular to the layer planes (CPP-MR), and (2) magnetization M measured for the same portion of the sample used to measure the CPP-MR. As expected, the two kinds of loops are mostly very similar. There are, however, some slight differences, the source of which is not yet clear.