Selective realignment of the preferred magnetization direction in a laser micro structured GMR spin-valve layer system (Ni81Fe19/Co90Fe10/Cu/Co90Fe10/IrMn/Ni81Fe19) with a total film thickness of 23 nm was studied. For this, patterns of isolated microstructures (500 pin x 200 pin) were fabricated by laser ablation. These micropatterns were annealed using laser irradiation at a temperature above the IrMn Neel temperature. During laser annealing, the sample was subjected to an external magnetic field in order to selectively realign the magnetic direction of the reference layer. Two different laser assisted annealing techniques were investigated applying either continuous or pulsed laser systems. After laser annealing, the magnetic properties of the micropatterns were investigated using a magnetic microsensor and magneto optical Kerr effect set up. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.