Multi-Step Magnetization Process of Gd-Co/Co/Cu/Co Thermo-Sensitive Spin Valves

Magnetic and magnetoresistive properties of the Gd-Co/Co/Cu/Co magnetic type multilayered sensitive spin valve were studied as a function of temperature. It is shown that the appearance of a non-collinear magnetic structure significantly affects the shape of the magnetoresistive hysteresis loop. The characteristic values of the critical field related to the appearance of non-collinear structure depend on the temperature of the spin valve. The obtained results can serve as a basis for the improvements of functional properties and expanding the application areas of magnetic multilayered sensitive elements of the spin valve type; for example, for precise determination of the position of the object.