The effect of specular electron scattering on the natural oxidation of a free layer in NiO spin valves has been investigated. The magnetoresistance ratio and the exchange biasing field (H ex ) of NiO(600 Å)/Ni 81 Fe 19 (50 Å)/Co(7 Å)/Cu(20 Å)/Ni 81 Fe 19 (70 Å) spin valves were increased from 4.9% to 7.3%, and 110 to 170 Oe after the natural oxidation in the atmosphere for 80 days, respectively. The sheet resistance decreased from 28 to 17 ⍀ m, but ⌬ did almost not change after the oxidation. The spin valves enhanced by the specular electron scattering in the naturally oxidized Co/NiFe/NiFeO x free layer were confirmed from the depth profiles using Auger electron spectroscopy.
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