The features of the structure and magnetic properties of Co-SiO2, Co-Al2O3 composite films with Tunneling Magnetoresistance effect

Abstract

In the present work, we have studied the structural, magnetic and magnetoresistive properties of Cox(SiO2)100-x and Cox(Al2O3)100-xcomposite thin films, obtained by magnetron cosputtering of metallic and insulator targets. It was shown by transmission electron microscopy and by temperature and field dependences of the magnetization that the films have a fine granular structure. For a wide range of compositions an adequate description was possible in frame of the model of homogeneous non-interacting superparamagnetic hexagonal lattice Co particles. Magnetoresistive sensor prototypes were designed on the base of an optimized magnetoresistive Co50(Al2O3) 50composite films. © (2012) Trans Tech Publications.