Dual spin-valve with Pd-Pt-Mn antiferromagnetic layer

The exchange bias field (H/sub ex/) between a new antiferromagnetic film of Pd-Pt-Mn and a soft magnetic layer was investigated with stacked structures having a Pd-Pt-Mn layer both on and under the soft layers. Pd-Pt-Mn on a Ta/Ni-Fe bilayer buffer exhibits high orientation and a large H/sub ex/ to a soft layer deposited on the Pd-Pt-Mn. Using this Ta/Ni-Fe buffer layer, dual spin-valve films with Pd-Pt-Mn antiferromagnetic layers were fabricated. After a 230/spl deg/C anneal to order the Pd-Pt-Mn, the MR ratio reaches 9.2% and the H/sub ex/ of the dual spin-valve is about 255 Oe, which is high enough to provide spin-valve operation.