Spinvalvetstacks

Spinvalvetstacks refers to a configuration of stacked spin valves, a type of magnetic sensor. A spin valve is a magnetoresistive device that exhibits a change in electrical resistance in response to an external magnetic field. It typically consists of two ferromagnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic conductive spacer. The electrical resistance of the spin valve is low when the magnetization of the two ferromagnetic layers is parallel and high when they are antiparallel.

In a spinvalvetstack, multiple spin valves are layered on top of each other. This arrangement allows for the detection of multiple magnetic signals simultaneously or for enhanced sensitivity. Each individual spin valve in the stack can be designed to respond to different magnetic field strengths or directions, or to different components of a magnetic field. The readout of a spinvalvetstack often involves measuring the combined resistance of all the layers, or measuring each layer individually.

This technology finds applications in various fields, including magnetic data storage (read heads for hard disk drives), magnetic field sensors for industrial automation, automotive sensors, and biosensors. The ability to integrate multiple sensing elements into a compact stack offers advantages in terms of miniaturization and performance for magnetic sensing applications. The precise layering and material selection are critical to the performance characteristics of a spinvalvetstack.