Sign change in the tunnel magnetoresistance of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/MgO/Co-Fe-B magnetic tunnel junctions depending on the annealing temperature and the interface treatment
- Center for Spinelectronic Materials and Devices, Physics Department, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld (Germany)
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Osnabrück, Barbarastraße 7, 49069 Osnabrück (Germany)
Magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) is an eligible candidate for magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) since it shows a high spin polarization at the Fermi level as well as a high Curie temperature of 585°C. In this study, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/MgO/Co-Fe-B MTJs were manufactured. A sign change in the TMR is observed after annealing the MTJs at temperatures between 200°C and 280°C. Our findings suggest an Mg interdiffusion from the MgO barrier into the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} as the reason for the change of the TMR. Additionally, different treatments of the magnetite interface (argon bombardment, annealing at 200°C in oxygen atmosphere) during the preparation of the MTJs have been studied regarding their effect on the performance of the MTJs. A maximum TMR of up to -12% could be observed using both argon bombardment and annealing in oxygen atmosphere, despite exposing the magnetite surface to atmospheric conditions before the deposition of the MgO barrier.
- OSTI ID:
- 22488525
- Journal Information:
- AIP Advances, Vol. 5, Issue 4; Other Information: (c) 2015 Author(s); Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 2158-3226
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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