Bias-current effect on inverse spin-switch effect in Permalloy/Nb/Permalloy pseudo spin-valves

The magnetoresistance of Permalloy/Nb/Permalloy pseudo spin-valves in the superconducting transition region have been measured in sweeping magnetic fields while varying bias current in order to investigate bias-current effect on the inverse spin-switch behavior. The magnetoresistance measured between two notches in a micron-size bar showed an ideal inverse spin-switch effect between two magnetic states of Permalloy layers, parallel and antiparallel domain state, at high enough bias-current densities exceeding 10(5) A/cm(2), in which the antiparallel domain state returns to the normal whereas the parallel state remains superconducting. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4745610]