Eur. Phys. J. B 10, 223-231 (1999)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510050849

In situ resistivity and magnetoresistance studies of Co/Au(111) single layers and bilayers

¹ Institut d'Optique Théorique et Appliquée (URA CNRS 014) , Bâtiment 503, Université Paris-Sud, BP 147, 91403 Orsay Cedex, France
² Institut d'Électronique Fondamentale (URA CNRS 022) , Bâtiment 220, Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France
³ Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, BP 763, Route de Soukra, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia

Corresponding author: ^a renard@ief.u-psud.fr

Received: 3 November 1998
Revised: 18 January 1999
Published online: 15 July 1999

Abstract

We report here on resistance and magnetoresistance (MR) studies of ultrathin Co/Au(111) single sandwiches and bilayers with perpendicular magnetization. Resistance of the films was measured in situ in ultrahigh vacuum, during depositions and as a function of a perpendicular applied magnetic field. A large MR variation with the thickness of Au coverage was observed and compared to calculations. The coercive field of the Co films shows a drastic variation with the Au coverage thickness, which reflects the theoretical anisotropy variation. It was measured as a function of temperature. For the first time, the effect of interlayer interaction on the resistivity of a Co bilayer during the growth of Co top layer, is evidenced and compared to calculations. Finally, hysteresis loops of strongly antiferromagnetically coupled bilayers are investigated.