⟨001⟩ textured polycrystalline current-perpendicular-to-plane pseudo spin-valves using Co2Fe(Ga0.5Ge0.5) Heusler alloy

The orientation dependence of current-perpendicular-to-plane giant-magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) was investigated by fabricating < 001 > textured polycrystalline pseudo spin valves (PSVs) with Co2Fe(Ga0.5Ge0.5) (CFGG) Heusler alloy ferromagnetic layers and a Ag spacer. The PSV with 10 nm CFGG annealed at 400 degrees C exhibited the resistance-change area product (Delta RA) of 5.8 m Omega (MR ratio of 16%), the largest value reported for polycrystalline CPP-(P)SVs. The < 001 > textured CFGG PSV outperforms the < 011 > textured CFGG PSV possibly due to the reduced lattice mismatch or improved band matching at the CFGG/Ag interface. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.