Considering non-uniform current distributions in magnetoresistive sensor designs and their implications for the resistance transfer function

Non-uniform current distributions of spin valves with disk shaped free layers are investigated. In the context of spin valves, the vortex state, which is the ground-state in many disk shaped magnetic bodies, allows for distinct parallel channels of high and low resistivity. The readout current is th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2017-09
Main Authors: Bachleitner-Hofmann, Anton, Abert, Claas, Brückl, Hubert, Satz, Armin, Wurft, Tobias, Raberg, Wolfgang, Prügl, Clemens, Suess, Dieter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Electrical resistivity
Inhomogeneity
Magnetization
Magnetoresistivity
Spin valves
Transfer functions
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Summary:Non-uniform current distributions of spin valves with disk shaped free layers are investigated. In the context of spin valves, the vortex state, which is the ground-state in many disk shaped magnetic bodies, allows for distinct parallel channels of high and low resistivity. The readout current is thus able to evade high resistivity regions in favor of low resistivity regions, giving rise to 'conductive inhomogeneities'. Therefore, the total resistance of the spin valve does not always correspond exactly to the total average magnetization of the free layer. In addition, the resistance transfer function can be significantly influenced by the spatial placement of the electrodes, giving rise to 'geometric inhomogeneities'. The resulting deviations from resistance to magnetization transfer function are investigated for different spin valve geometries and compared to measurements of comparable devices.
ISSN:2331-8422