Temperature dependence of the reversal mechanism in spin-valve films

The thermal behavior of spin valves (SVs) and exchange-coupled films has been investigated by in situ experiments in a Lorentz microscope. In situ magnetizing combined with in situ heating experiments have been performed during observation of the magnetization reversal of SV materials. A clear demonstration of the thermal effect on the reversal of the free layer is shown as well as a decrease of the exchange-bias pinning with increasing temperature. This latter effect results in the switching of the pinned layer near the blocking temperature.