Superconducting Spin-Valve Effect in Structures with a Ferromagnetic Heusler Alloy Layer

We present comparative analysis of superconducting properties of two types of spin valves containing Heusler alloy Co2Cr1 – xFexAly as one of ferromagnetic layers (F1 or F2) in the F1/F2/S structures. We have used the Heusler alloy layer (i) as a weak ferromagnet in the case of the F2 layer and (ii) as a half-metal in the case of F1 layer. In the former case, large classical effect ΔTc of the superconducting spin valve is obtained; this is facilitated by a substantial triplet contribution Δ $$T_{c}^{{{\text{trip}}}}$$ to the superconducting spin valve effect. In the latter case, giant value of Δ $$T_{c}^{{{\text{trip}}}}$$ reaching 0.5 K is observed.