Abstract
NiMn-pinned spin valve films consisting of a layered glass/NiFe/Co/Cu/Co/NiFe/NiMn/Ta stack were made by do magnetron sputtering. After deposition, the structure was annealed in a series of cycles each including three hours at $220^\circ C, 2\times10^{-6}$ Torr, in a field of 350 Oe, to create an ordered antiferromagnetic structure in the NiMn layer and produce a strong unidirectional pinning field in the pinned magnetic layer, Optimum spin valve properties were obtained after seven annealing cycles, or 21 hours at $220^\circ C$, and were : MR ratio 1%, exchange coupling field 620 Oe, and coercivity of pinned layer 250 Oe. The exchange coupling field remained constant up to an operating temperature of $175^\circ C$, and the blocking temperature was about $380^\circ C$.