Negative magnetoresistance in Fe3O4/Au/Fe spin valves

Abstract

The structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of Fe3O4 /Au/Fe spin valves on MgOs001d are presented. In contrast to more conventional spin valve structures, the current-in-plane resistance of the Fe3O4 /Au/Fe spin valves is found to be smallest for an antiparallel alignment of the magnetization of the Fe3O4 and Fe layer. Since the electrical current is transported through the low resistance Au and Fe layers, the negative magnetoresistance effect is attributed to an inverse electron spin scattering asymmetry at the Fe3O4 /Au interface.