Abstract
We investigated the composition dependence of the microstructure and magnetic properties of Co90Fe10-Zr film and the thermal and structural stability of MTJs with CoFeZr layers. As the Zr concentration in the Co90Fe10-Zr film increased, the grain size decreased rapidly, and the alloy films became a homogeneous amorphous phase when the concentration of Zr exceeded 15 at%. The TMR ratio of the MTJs with Co90Fe10 layers decreased when the samples were annealed at a temperature above 300 °C, whereas that of the MTJs with amorphous CoFeZr layers only started to decrease when they were annealed at a temperature above 350 °C. The MTJs with CoFeZr layers retained a significant TMR value of 28%, even after annealing at 450 °C. The enhanced structural quality of the interfaces improved the thermal stability of the MTJs with amorphous CoFeZr layers.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1923-1925 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials |
Volume | 310 |
Issue number | 2 SUPPL. PART 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2007 Mar |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by grants from the Korea Research Foundation (KRF-2004-005-C00068) and the Basic Research Program of the KOSEF (R-01-2005-000-11188-0).
Keywords
- Amorphous CoFeZr
- MTJ
- Microstructure
- Stability
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics