Magnetoresistance in Co/Pt based magnetic tunnel junctions with out-of-plane magnetization

The preparation and magnetic properties of submicron magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) are described by using magnetic electrodes based on Co/Pt multilayers displaying perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) on both sides of an alumina barrier. The magnetic moments of both electrodes are shown to be out of plane and two well-separated switching fields are used for obtaining the well-defined parallel and antiparallel configurations of the magnetizations.