Enhanced uniaxial anisotropy in an artificial antiferromagnet (AAF) using thin TbCo seed layers

When increasing the uniaxial anisotropy in (one of) the ferromagnetic layers in an artificial antiferromagnet, an enhancement of the rigidity of the artificial antiferromagnet is achieved, which is of importance for angular sensors. A now concept, i.e. a controlled uniaxial anisotropy induced by a thin TbCo seed, has been successfully implemented in a Co-Ru-Co artificial antiferromagnet, which serves as hard layer in spin-valve devices. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.