Abstract
The structural and magnetic properties, particularly the giant magnetoresistance (GMR), of iron-cluster-dispersed silver films fabricated by an ion cluster beam (ICB) technique are reported. The specimens were characterized by X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). SAXS measurements show that the strong scattered intensities vary in shape and the radii of gyration are in the range 7-16 nm depending on the composition. TEM observations also show a grain size of approx 20-30 nm. Giant magnetoresistance of 40% was observed without any heat treatment of the specimens. The magnetoresistance curves do not saturate even at 140 kOe although the magnetization saturates at a very low magnetic field.