Structure of CoxAg100-x and Its Relation to GMR

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe have studied the structure of the Co-Ag granular system across the entire composition range, as well as the annealed samples, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction. GMR, as much as 80% at 5K and 25% at room temperature, have been observed. The absolute values of the resistivity (ρ) and the change of the resistivity (δρ) as functions of the magnetic Co concentration and the annealing temperature have been determined. A linear relation between δρ and I/rco, where rco is Co particle size, has been found. This result suggests that the magnetic scattering at the interfaces is crucial to GMR.