Articles you may be interested inCurrent driven magnetization reversal in microstructured spin valve with current-in-plane configuration J. Appl. Phys. 105, 07D118 (2009); 10.1063/1.3068483Effect of Ir-Mn composition on exchange bias and thermal stability of spin valves with nano-oxide layers Physical properties of spin-valve films grown on naturally oxidized metal nano-oxide surfacesThe magnetostriction coefficient ͑ s ͒ of ultrathin sputtered polycrystalline as-deposited and annealed Ta/ Ni 81 Fe 19 ͑t͒ / Ta films was studied as a function of the thickness. s and magnetoresistance ͑MR͒ of bottom-type spin valves ͑SVs͒ with nano-oxide layer ͑NOL͒ added in the pinned layer were investigated by using NiFe, Co 90 Fe 10 , and CoFe/ NiFe/ CoFe layers as free layer ͑FL͒, respectively. s of SV with NOL increased slightly except that of CoFe FL. NOLs were added at different positions to study the effects of NOL on s of CoFe FL. All s of CoFe FL change from negative to positive and its absolute value also increases significantly with CoFeO x related NOL added below. Our s and surface roughness results indicated that the structure of the film not the roughness dominates s of ultrathin FL in SVs.