Asymmetric field dependence of magnetoresistance in magnetic films

TL;DR

This paper investigates asymmetric magnetoresistance in magnetic films, attributing odd voltage peaks during magnetization reversal to small variations in magnetization and Hall resistivity, supported by a circuit model and calculations.

Contribution

It introduces a simple circuit model to explain asymmetric magnetoresistance and provides analytic and numerical validation for the observed phenomena.

Findings

Odd longitudinal voltage peaks are linked to magnetization and Hall resistivity variations.

Experimental data align with the circuit model predictions.

The model effectively describes the asymmetric magnetoresistance in films with out-of-plane anisotropy.

Abstract

We study an asymmetric in field magnetoresistance that is frequently observed in magnetic films and, in particular, the odd longitudinal voltage peaks that appear during magnetization reversal in ferromagnetic films, with out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy. We argue that the anomalous signals result from small variation of magnetization and Hall resistivity along the sample. Experimental data can be well described by a simple circuit model, the latter being supported by analytic and numerical calculations of current and electric field distribution in films with a gradual variation of the magnetization and Hall resistance.