Effect of Au thickness on magnetoresistance and Kerr spectra in Co/Au multilayers

Abstract Magnetotransport and magneto-optical (MO) results on sputtered Co/Au multilayers at 300 K are reported. The thickness of Co layer was fixed at t Co =1 nm while that of Au, t Au , varied between 2.2 and 4 nm. Two giant-magnetoresistance (GMR) maxima were observed for t Au ≈2.4 and 3.9 nm. For t Au ≈2.4 nm the coercive field and switching fields are 7 and ±30 Oe, respectively. MO Kerr hysteresis loops and spectra were measured in polar and longitudinal configurations. The loops provide evidence for the exchange coupling at the first GMR maximum and interface magnetic anisotropy for t Au nm .