Electron microscopy studies of spin-valve materials

An account is given on high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) analyses carried out to investigate the microstructure of spin-valve (SV) materials. After a summary of the most common configurations found in the literature and some comments on their advantages and disadvantages, some HREM studies are discussed that have clarified the differences in magnetic properties between top and bottom SVs. The growth conditions, the use of a seed layer and the thermal behavior of SVs annealed at different temperatures are detailed. Further, some magnetostatic effects are explained by microstructural considerations.