Enhancement of Non-Local Spin Valve Signals through Mitigation of Interfacial Oxides

Non-local spin valves (NLSVs) provide a sensitive probe of spin transport in metals, but their signals are often reduced by interfacial oxides that form between ferromagnetic (FM) and normal metal (NM) layers. We explore an alternative fabrication method using RF plasma cleaning to remove these oxides immediately before NM deposition. In permalloy/aluminum NLSVs, both layers were patterned by electron-beam lithography and deposition, and RF etching of a thin Al₂O₃ cap prior to Al deposition produced a clear increase in the effective non-local resistance. The approach has also been extended to Fe/Cu structures, where ongoing measurements examine how plasma cleaning affects interface transparency and spin transport. This method offers a simple and widely applicable route to improving FM/NM interfaces and achieving higher-quality NLSVs without relying on complex double-angle deposition techniques.