Back to Search
Start Over
Effect of cap layer thickness on the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in top MgO/CoFeB/Ta structures.
- Source :
- Journal of Applied Physics; Aug2011, Vol. 110 Issue 3, p033916, 5p
- Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- The perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of a series of top MgO/CoFeB/Ta layers is studied. Similar to the bottom Ta/CoFeB/MgO structure, the critical thickness of CoFeB is limited in a range of 1.1-1.7 nm. However, the cap layer shows much sensitive effect. Not only the type of material is crucial, but the thickness of the cap layer also affects the magnetic anisotropy. The perpendicular anisotropy of a 1.2 nm-thick CoFeB can only exist with the capping Ta thickness less than 2 nm. The magnetic characterizations, including the magnetic remanence and coercivity, also show strong dependence on the Ta thickness. The diffusion of Ta into CoFeB layer is considered to play an important role, which could explain changes in perpendicular anisotropy and related magnetic responses. In addition, the asymmetric role of Ta layer in the top structure and bottom structures is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- MAGNETICS
ANISOTROPY
RANDOM access memory
COMPUTER storage devices
MAGNESIUM oxide
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00218979
- Volume :
- 110
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Applied Physics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 64354858
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3621353