Improved magnetoresistance through spacer thickness optimization in tilted pseudo spin valves based on L1<inf>0</inf> (111)-oriented FePtCu fixed layers

Through optimization of the Cu spacer thickness, we demonstrate magnetoresistance (MR) up to 5% in FePtCu/CoFe/Cu/CoFe/NiFe pseudo spin valves based on L10 (111) FePtCu fixed layers with a tilted magnetization. We find an optimum spacer thickness of about 2.4 nm which correlates with a clear onset of strong interlayer exchange coupling below 2.4 nm and spin-independent current shunting in the spacer above 2.4 nm. We argue that yet higher MR should be possible through further reduction in the interlayer exchange coupling. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.