Evidence of a Barrier Oxidation Dependence on the Interfacial Magnetism in Co/Alumina Based Magnetic Tunnel Junctions.

Telling, N. D. ; van der Laan, G. ; Ladak, S. ; Hicken, R. J. ; Arenholz, E.

Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee

关键词: Magnetism;    Barrier oxidation;    Absorption spectroscopy;    Magnetic circular dichroism;    Magnetic moments;   

RP-ID  :  DE2006862019

学科分类：工程和技术（综合）

美国|英语

来源: National Technical Reports Library

【 摘 要 】

Soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy and magnetic circular dichroism at the Co L(sub 2,3) edge have been applied to explore the near-interfacial magnetism of Co electrodes in Co/alumina based magnetic tunnel junctions. By taking into account the formation of CoO at the FM/barrier interface, the change in the total magnetic moment on metallic Co atoms as a function of barrier oxidation has been determined. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between the Co moments and measured TMR values, and an enhancement in the Co moments for moderate oxidation times.