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If one temperature-dependent relaxation scale controls a fixed carrier population and fixed orbital geometry, the magnetoresistance ratio can collapse onto a function of $B/\rho (0,T)$. This is Kohler's rule. For the equal-mobility compensated two-carrier magnetoresistance model, $[\rho (B)-\rho (0)]/\rho (0)=(\mu B{)}^2$ and $\mu =[2ne\rho (0){]}^{-1}$. Therefore plotting against $[B/\rho (0){]}^2$ gives a common straight line of slope $1/(4n^2{e}^2)$. A collapse tests the scaling relation; it does not by itself prove this particular microscopic carrier model. Multiple independently varying scattering times or carrier populations can spoil it.

Specify the magnetoresistance ratio as $(R_{AP}-R_P)/R_P$. Increasing a continuous Cu spacer adds spin-independent series resistance. Even when $d$ remains below the spin diffusion length, this dilutes the ratio; spin information need not be destroyed to reduce the percentage signal. In the illustrative two-current resistor model,which decreases as $d$ increases. The absolute difference also decreases in this model. At a fixed bias current, the measured voltage contrast is $\Delta V=I(R_{AP}-R_P)$.

For $d$ comparable to or greater than the spin diffusion length, additional spin relaxation further suppresses the contrast. At the other extreme an ultrathin or discontinuous Cu layer can introduce direct magnetic coupling or pinholes, preventing a fully antiparallel state. Thickness-dependent interlayer coupling can therefore make the very-thin-spacer trend nonmonotonic; a universal exponential law does not follow from the supplied assumptions.

Two practical approaches retaining Co and NiFe are:

Increasing magnetic-layer thickness toward the useful spin-dependent-scattering scale can be another optimization, but growth beyond the relevant spin diffusion scale eventually gives diminishing returns. Merely increasing the bias current increases the readout voltage and possible heating; it does not, by itself, increase the intrinsic giant magnetoresistance ratio.

A spin valve detects a small field by rotating a free layer relative to a pinned magnetic reference. The chain rule separates transport angular response from the magnetic rotational susceptibility. An angular response proportional to $1-\cos \theta$ has zero slope at perfect parallel and antiparallel alignment but a nonzero slope near perpendicular alignment. The smallest detectable field also depends on electronic and magnetic noise, thermal stability, hysteresis and the chosen bias current; a large magnetoresistance ratio alone does not determine sensitivity.