Magnetoresistance variation of magnetic tunnel junctions with NiFeSiB/CoFeB free layers depending on MgO tunnel barrier thickness

Ji Ung Cho, Do Kyun Kim, Tian Xing Wang, Shinji Isogami, Masakiyo Tsunoda, Migaku Takahashi, Young Keun Kim

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    6 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We developed NiFeSiB/CoFeB hybrid free-layers for magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with MgO tunnel barrier layers. These junctions show tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) ratios and resistance-area (RA) values ranging from 118-209% and 36-2380 Ω μm2, respectively, obtained at room temperature. Compared to the CoFeB single free-layer case, the NiFeSiB/CoFeB hybrid free-layer approach has the advantage of lowering saturation magnetization. The low magnetization material would be effective to decrease the switching current in spin transfer torque (STT) switching. The experimental results show that the RA value depends not only on the thickness of the MgO barrier but also on the structure of the free layer used. Tunable in the TMR ratio and RA value using the design of the hybrid free-layer, our hybrid free-layered MTJs demonstrate a desirable lower RA value but a similar TMR ratio in comparison to the CoFeB free-layered ones.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)2547-2550
    Number of pages4
    JournalIEEE Transactions on Magnetics
    Volume44
    Issue number11 PART 2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2008 Nov

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    This work was supported by the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation through the National Research Lab Program (No. M10500000105-05J0000-10510), and Tera-level Nanode-vices Program (No. M103KC010006-06K0301-00631).

    Keywords

    • Hybrid free layer
    • Low saturation magnetization
    • Magnetic tunnel junction
    • NiFeSiB

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
    • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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