Magnetic Anisotropy in Electrodeposited CO Films and spin-valves on Gaas Substrates

Abstract

We have studied the magnetic and structural properties of thin electrodeposited Co and Cu layers grown directly onto (100) n-GaAs and have investigated the influence of a buffer layer. A dominant fourfold anisotropy with a uniaxial contribution is observed in 10 nm Co electrodeposited films on GaAs. An easy axis is observed in the [001] GaAs direction with two hard axes of differing coercivities parallel to the [011] and [011] directions. For thicker films the easy axes in the [001] direction becomes less pronounced and the fourfold anisotropy becomes less dominant. Co films of similar thicknesses deposited onto an electrodeposited Cu buffer layer were nearly isotropic. From X-ray diffraction 21 nm Co layers on GaAs were found to be hcp with the c-axis tending to be in the plane of the film. The anisotropy is ascribed to the Co/GaAs interface and is held responsible for the unique spin-valve properties seen recently in electrodeposited Co/Cu films.

Structure and Magnetic Anisotropy of Electrodeposited Co on n-GaAs(001)

“…In addition to the interesting spintronic applications outlined above, the information should be helpful in resolving questions concerning the unusual magnetic behavior reported for electrodeposited Co/Cu spin valves. [11][12][13]…”

Morphology of Nanometer‐Thick Electrolytic Copper Layers Investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy

“…Promising results have already been obtained with electrodeposited MMLs. 6,7 As a result, electrodeposition has emerged as a valid and inexpensive alternative method to produce MMLs. An important task is to optimize the control of the structure of each sublayer and the control of the interfacial roughness.…”